Improvements in the Application of Compressed Air to Marine Propulsion.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 5th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 5th Dec.. 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Application of Compressed Air to Marine
Propulsion.
I JAMES SIMPSON of 8A Rumford Place Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
Alkali Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to save part of the cost of pumping cooling water
through the surface condensers (which are generally used for marine engines) when
air compressed by steam power is used for the purpose of propulsion instead of
screw or paddles.
In practice I preferably cool the air before it reaches the compressing cylinder.
This may be done in any convenient manner-such as by contact with surfaces
cooled by the expansion of anhydrous ammonia. In this compressing cylinder the
air is compressed to the requisite pressure and is allowed to expand through the
surface condenser from which it passes at sufficient pressure to propel the vessel
through the discharging orifices.
By this means the cost of pumping circulating water is to some extent saved
while the heat taken up by the air in passing through the condenser serves to
compensate for any loss due to conduction while under pressure. There is also a
considerable saving in the carrying capacity of the vessel in not having to carry as
much water as is ordinarily used for cooling the surface condenser.
Dated the 12th day of February 1891.
Per pro J. T. KING,
J. Johnson,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Application of Compressed Air to Marine
Propulsion.
I JAMES SIMPSON of 84 Rumford Place, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
Alkali Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to save part of the cost of pumping cooling water
through the surface condensers used in combination with the steam engines employed
for compressing air and to impart heat to the compressed air when the latter is
used for marine propulsion, instead of screws or paddles. By marine propulsion, I
mean the propulsion of navigable vessels generally. I effect this by an arrange-
ment whereby the loss of power through conduction due to the conversion of latent
heat into sensitive heat is greatly diminished.
In practice, the air which has been compressed to the requisite pressure, is
allowed to expand through a surface condenser instead of using water as the cooling
agent. By this means the cost of pumping circulating water is reduced.
In air-propelled vessels navigating fresh water lakes or rivers, surface condensers
not being essential-high pressure engines can be used,-the waste steam or a portion
of it being mixed with the compressed air.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is―
First. Heating compressed air for use in the propulsion of navigable vessels, sub-
stantially as set forth.
Second. Utilizing compressed air employed in the propulsion of navigable vessels
in the cooling of surface condensers, substantially as set forth.
Dated the 31st day of October 1891.
Per pro J. T. KING,
J. Johnson,
Agent.