AN IMPROVED LIFE-SAVING APPARATUS TO BE FITTED ON BOARD OF SHIPS' BOATS FOR USE AT SEA, AND IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING SEA WATER INTO FRESH
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Peter Sharp, Architectural Sculptor, and Thomas
Smith, Naval Architect and Ship Builder, both of No. 19, Salisbury Street,
Strand, London, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED LIFE-SAVING APPARATUS
TO BE FITTED ON BOARD OF SHIPS' BOATS FOR USE AT SEA, AND IMPROVED
MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING SEA WATER INTO FRESH.”
Scaled the 9th May 1876, and dated the 3rd February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alfred Peter Sharp and
Thomas Smith at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd
February 1876.
"
ALFRED PETER SHARP, Architectural Sculptor, and Thomas Smith, Naval Archi-
tect and Ship Builder, both of No. 19, Salisbury Street, Strand, London. AN
IMPROVED LIFE-SAVING APPARATUS TO BE FITTED ON BOARD OF SHIPS' BOATS FOR
USE AT SEA, AND IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING SEA WATER
INTO FRESH."
This Invention relates to a novel arrangement and construction of apparatus for
producing at sea quantities of fresh or potable water from sea water, sufficient for
supplying the whole of the crew and passengers carried in the boat so fitted in case of
shipwreck and under such like circumstances. It consists of a novel and simple
evaporator, vessel, or still with a lamp and apparatus applied thereto for enabling
the temperature of the salt water to be suitably raised so as to drive off the vapor or
steam therefrom into the upper end of a coiled pipe or circulating tube coiled within a
suitable tank connected by circulating pipes or connecting tubes with the cold sea
water externally, in which vessel the heat abstracting and vacuum producing effects
are brought into play, and the condensation of the steam generated in the
evaporating vessel or boiler is effected, and from the lower and outer end of which
steam condensing pipe the fresh water produced is received and collected in a reser-
voir or tank for use.
The several parts of this apparatus may more conveniently be combined and
connected together in or on a frame or framepiece for the convenience of fitting in
and removal, and more particularly for securing the whole within the space allotted
to it in the extreme bow of the boat, where it is decked over or hooded in and
inclosed in a miniature forecastle; it will occupy but a very small space and not
interfere with the passenger carrying capacity of the boat.

page_text: As the condensing tank with its supply of sea water is low down in the bow
small sluice valves or sea-cocks are provided for shutting off the exterior sea water
in case of need, and the means of ensuring air for the combustion of the lamp or
heating arrangement is provided, as also suitable air pipes and a suitable escape pipe
with wind guard, are carried above the decking, and the whole apparatus is enclosed
in front.
Where oil is used for the lamp an inclosed reservoir may be fitted at a suitable
elevation to ensure facility of supply under all circumstances, and a gravitating
reservoir or feed to the lamp may be provided, so as to render anything more than
the trimming of the lamp unnecessary. The evaporator is so constructed that the
saline deposit can be readily removed, and the incrustation upon the inner heat
transmitting surfaces is prevented by the peculiar formation of the vessel or still
and the arrangement for the admission of the cold salt water.
By the arrangement of the whole apparatus within a framing and the joint
connections the whole can be slung or suspended and slid into its place, or be with-
drawn from the enclosure, with facility.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alfred Peter Sharp and Thomas Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 30th June 1876.
ALFRED PETER SHARP, Architectural Sculptor, and THOMAS SMITH, Naval Archi-
tect and Ship Builder, both of No. 19, Salisbury Street, Strand, London. "AN
IMPROVED LIFE-SAVING APPARATUS TO BE FITTED ON BOARD OF SHIPS' BOATS FOR
USE AT SEA, AND IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING SEA WATER
INTO FRESH."
This Invention relates to a novel arrangement and construction of apparatus for
producing at sea quantities of fresh or potable water from sea water, sufficient for
supplying the whole of the crew and passengers carried in the boat so fitted in case
of shipwreck, and under such like circumstances. It consists of a novel and simple
evaporator, vessel, or still, with a lamp and apparatus applied thereto for enabling
the temperature of the salt water to be suitably raised so as to drive off the vapour
or steam therefrom into the upper end of a coiled pipe or circulating tube, the
lower part of which is coiled within a suitable cold water tank, and which tank
is connected by circulation pipes or connecting tubes with the cold sea water
externally; within the pipes contained in the vessel the heat abstracting and
vacuum producing effects are brought into play and the condensation of the steam
generated in the evaporating vessel or boiler is effected, and from the lower and
outer end of which steam condensing pipe the fresh water produced is received and
collected in a reservoir or tank for use.
The several parts of this apparatus may more conveniently be combined and
connected together in or on a frame or in a framepiece for the convenience of fitting
in and removal, and more particularly for securing the whole within the space allotted
to it in the extreme bow of the boat, and where it is decked over or hooded in and
enclosed in a miniature, forecastle; it will occupy but a very small space and not
interfere with the passenger carrying capacity of the boat.
As the condensing tank with its supply of sea water is most conveniently placed low
down in the bow small sluice valves or sea-cocks are provided for shutting off the
exterior sea water in case of need, and the means of insuring air for the combustion
of the lamp and heating arrangement is provided, as also suitable air pipes and a
suitable escape pipe with wind guard may be carried above the decking, and the
whole apparatus may be enclosed in front, so as to protect it from a sea breaking over.
Where oil is used for the lamp an enclosed reservoir may be fitted at a suitable
elevation to ensure uniformity and facility of supply under all circumstances, and a
gravitating reservoir or feed to the lamp may be provided, so as to render anything

page_text: more in the shape of attention to it than the trimming of the lamp unnecessary.
Tho evaporator is so constructed that the saline deposit can be readily removed,
and the accumulation of incrustation upon the inner heat transmitting surfaces is
prevented by the peculiar formation of the vessel or still, and may still further be
reduced by an arrangement for the admission of the cold sea water into a pre-
liminary vessel, where its temperature is increased and the salt thrown down to a
greater or lesser extent.
By the arrangement of the whole apparatus within a framing and by the use of
joint connections the whole can be slung or suspended and slid into its place, or
be withdrawn froin the enclosure, with facility.
In Sheet 1 Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the bow portion of a ship's boat
fitted with the apparatus according to our Invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of
Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a transverse section of the bow portion of Figures 1 and 2,
in which the apparatus is fitted. In each of these 3 Figures A is the body of the
boat, A¹ is the stem; B is the bow portion, within which the apparatus is fitted,
and which is shewn as hooded over and enclosed, C being the roofing or hooding,
D, D, being the doors provided in front and shewn partially open in Figures 1 and 2.
The condensing vessel or warm tank is in each of these views shewn in the most
advanced position in the bow, and is indicated by the letter E. The oil reservoir
or tank for supplying the lamp is marked F, and the condensed water tank or
reservoir is placed outside the bow enclosure, low down in the boat, and is marked G;
this has a hand hole cover for enabling the water to be lifted or baled out by
means of a vessel or can inserted therein. In these three views the apparatus is
shewn arranged and applied in a manner which we have found most convenient for
use in practice. The parts which are the more important and requiring protection
are enclosed, so as to reduce the liability to derangement from any cause, and that
the parts may not become strained or rendered inoperative they are mounted upon
or attached to a framing which will enable the whole to be lifted out of and placed
in position together. The joints which have to be made with and by or through
the boat's sides, for effecting the connection with the exterior, may have inserted
therein or connected therewith sluice valves or sea-cocks, or other means of shutting
out the external body of sea water.
Of course other arrangements and dispositions of the parts may be made than
those we have shewn; or such variations in the form and shape of the tanks and
other parts of the apparatus may be made as may be most convenient, according to
the lines of the boat and the form of the boat's bow.
In Sheet 2 we have shown 3 views of the distilling portion of the apparatus and
its connections, without any portion of the boat.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the boiler or evaporating vessel and the lamp.
Figure 2 is a corresponding vertical section taken at right angles to the view, Figure
1. Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 2. In these 3 view the small letters a, b, c,
&c., are employed to indicate like or corresponding parts in the several Figures.
a is the base plate of the casing, within which is the lamp and upon which is
mounted or fitted the boiler or evaporating vessel, and which latter is shown as
supported by the vertical casing b, b. a¹ is the bottom plate upon which the lamp
is supported, and which is suspended or slung by means of the angular arrange-
meut of sling c, c, which slings are, by means of the lever arms on the spindle or
shaft d, d, raised from the position of rest (in which the lamp is shewn) into closer
proximity with the vertical opening in the bottom of the boiler or evaporator, so
that f(the cap or guard of the lamp wick partially enclosing and guarding the
burner) is brought up against g, the air for supporting combustion being admitted
through a series of holes, as shown; the wick is regulated by means of the milled
headed shaft or rod f¹. The outline of the cylindrical hemispherical ended boiler is
indicated by the letter h, and a vertical pipe or flue for the escape of the heated
products of combustion is shown at i; at the bottom of this pipe or flue is a
horizontal baffle plate it, which may, in some cases, be formed as an inverted saucer
instead of a flat plate, as here shewn, to check the too direct escape of the heat and

page_text: to detain it longer in contact with the combustion chamber. K, K¹, K", are three
transversely arranged water tubes by which the sides of the combustion chamber of
the boiler are connected together and strengthened, and a more rapid circulation of
the water is thus promoted. is a syphon pipe by which the steam, as generated
in the boiler, passes off from the top and descends into the condensing tank, which
may be placed in any convenient position and be made of any convenient form. In
Figures 1, 2, 3 (Sheet 2) we have shown the condensing tank as a semi-circular casing
partially surrounding the lower part of the lamp case, but it may be (as in Figures
1, 2, and 3, Sheet 1) a separate and distinct vessel placed forward in the bow.
In Sheet 2 the condensing tank is indicated by m, and the worm contained
within it, as a prolongation of the syphon pipe l, is indicated by . The cold water
circulation pipes for inlet and exit are respectively marked n and o.
The connection
between the connecting pipe, from the lower end of the worm pipe to the distilled
water collecting tank, is indicated by p.
The several other details of the apparatus, shewn on Sheet 2, are so clearly shown
as to be self evident as to their purpose and action, and require no detailed
explanation.
Where the expression "lead pipe" is employed it is proposed that tin-lined pipe
shall be used, and where "copper" is intended to be employed as a material for the
construction of any portion of the apparatus for containing either sea water or the
distilled or condensed water, such copper vessel or portion of the apparatus must be
tinned, so as to ensure its being clean and free from verdigris or other poisonous
matter.
The lamp is lifted into and lowered out of its working position by means of the
lever handle, shown in Figure 1, &c., but any other mechanically equivalent ineans
may be employed for effecting that purpose and enabling the action of the lamp to
be controlled and regulated.
Air taps and air pipes should be applied to the condensing tank and gauge cocks
to the boiler, in such positions as will enable the operations of condensing and
collecting the water for use to be carried on with safety and continuously.
Having now described our invention, and illustrated certain arrangements and
dispositions of the parts of the same, such as in practice we prefer to employ, we
wish it to be understood that what. we claim is, first, the improved life saving
apparatus to be fitted on board of ships' boats for use at sea, as herein described and
set forth.
Secondly. The improved means and apparatus for converting sea water into fresh
or potable water herein described and set forth, and as illustrated in the accompany-
ing 2 Sheets of Drawings.
Thirdly. The parts of the apparatus, as herein described, when fitted on board of
ships' boats, and intended to be employed for converting sea water into fresh or
drinkable water on board of ships' boats at sea, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, we, the said Alfred Peter Sharp and Thomas Smith, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-fourth day of June, in the
year of our Lord 1876.
Witness to the Signatures of both parties,
WILLIAM SMITH, C.E.,
18 & 19, Salisbury St.,
Adelphi,
London.
ALFRED PETER SHARP. (L.S.)
THOMAS SMITH.
(L.S.)