AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CLEANING SURFACE CONDENSERS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Haseltine, of the "International Patent
Office," Southampton Buildings, London, Doctor of Laws, for the
Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CLEANING
SURFACE CONDENSERS."-A communication from abroad by Joseph
Parker Bass, of Bangor, Maine, United States of America.
:.11
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said George Haseltine at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 3rd September 1878, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HASELTINE, of the "International Patent Office," Southampton Build-
ings, London, Doctor of Laws, send greeting.
:
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "AN IMPROVED
METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CLEANING SURFACE CONDENSERS," and have
petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have
made solemn Declaration that it has been communicated to me from
abroad by Joseph Parker Bass, of Bangor, Maine, United States of
America.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Haseltine, 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, referenco being had to the accompanying Drawing forming at
part of this Specification.
The object of my Invention is to provide a simple and effective method
of and means for removing the deposit of grease and other substances
from the tubes of surface condensers.
This method consists in introducing into and forcing through said 1
condensers a grease solvent. The accumulation in or upon the condenser
tubes consists of the oil used in lubricating the cylinder of the engine
together with the particles worn off by friction. These particles are
taken up by the steam and carried from the cylinder through the
exhaust pipe into the condenser, when the steam being condensed they 1
are deposited upon or in the tubes, forming in time a greasy cake or
coating which interferes with the condensation of the steam.
The present method of cleaning the tubes is by soaking them in
alkali or like substance; or by some similar operation, occasioning delay
and loss, beside being injurious to the condenser.
My Invention avoids these objections and permits the operation of
cleaning to be carried on while the engines are in motion, utilizing the
condensation of the steam in drawing the solvent forcibly through the
condenser.
2
I effect my purpose by introducing into the condenser, together with 2
steam, a grease solvent, in such a manner that as the steam condenses
and a vacuum is produced in the condenser the solvent is forced in,
through, or around the tubes, circulating thoroughly and removing the
caked grease in its passage. A convenient means of introducing the
solvent with tho steam is to tap the exhaust pipe between the cylinder 3
and condenser furnishing the opening with an oil cup. Among the
solvents of grease proper to be used I may mention turpentine and
petroleum, crude or refined, though many others will suggest themselves
in practice. These when introduced or forced through the condenser
"cut" the greasy deposit which settles with the water from the 3
condensed steam to the bottom of the condenser, whence it may be
drawn off through the pipe which supplies the water to the boiler.

page_text: This pipe if desired may be furnished with a two-way cock, by which
the water when charged with the sediment may be drawn off before
reaching the boiler. Or the "bonnet" may be removed from the feed
pump and the water allowed to escape over the top instead of being
pumped into the boiler.
In the Drawing A shows the cylinder; B, the condenser; and C, the
exhaust pipe connecting them, having therein the opening & provided
with an oil cup e; F shows the feed pipe leading from the condenser,
through which the water is carried to the boiler, which pipe as stated
may be provided with an escape cock or the water may be removed as
specified by taking the "bonnet" from the feed pump. From two quarts
to a gallon of turpentine or petroleum is usually sufficient to thoroughly
clean the condensor, and the operation requires but a few moments.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the
same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. The within described method of cleaning surface condensers, to
wit, by introducing and passing through said condenser, with steam, a
grease solvent, substantially as herein set forth.
Second. The combination of the opening d in the exhaust pipe of an
engine with a condenser B, and a second opening between the condenser
and boiler for the escape of the water charged with sediment, sub-
stantially as set forth and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Haseltine, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Third day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
Witness,
HENRY J. NOONE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
GEORGE HASELTINE. (L.S.)