IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COOLING WORTS AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND FOR CONDENSING VAPOURS
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Horatio Bycroft, of Burton-on-Trent, in the
County of Stafford, Plumber, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR COOLING WORTS AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND FOR CONDENSING
VAPOURS."
Sealed the 9th February 1875, and dated the 1st September 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Horatio Bycroft at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 1st September 1874.
I, HORATIO BYCROFT, of Burton-on-Trent, in the County of Stafford,
Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COOLING WORTS AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND FOR
CONDENSING VAPOURS," to be as follows:

page_text: I construct a series of flat tubes or chambers. These tubes or
chambers are rectangular and oblong in plan, and of much greater width
than depth. The flat tubes or chambers of the series are equal or
nearly equal in length, and are also equal or nearly equal in depth, but
in width they are different, each of the tubes or chambers in the vertical
series in which, as herein-after explained, they are arranged being wider
than that above it, and narrower than that below it. The said tubes or
chambers are not quite flat, but slightly trough shaped. The said tubes
or chambers are supported at their ends by hollow axes or trunnions
taking into bearings in uprights fixed on the base of the apparatus. The
ends of the hollow axes are connected by flexible or other connections,
so as to make the whole series a continuous zig-zag channel or passage,
through which liquid can circulate from top to bottom. The lowest of
the flat tubes or chambers communicates with the interior of the shallow
trough forming the base of the apparatus. The said hollow trough has
in its interior a series of plates or deflectors, by which liquid passing
through it is made to take a tortuous course. The wort or liquid to be
cooled is delivered on the top flat tube or chamber of the series. From
this it runs on to the next lower flat tube or chamber, which being
broader than the first catches the wort flowing over the edges of the
first. From the second flat tube or chamber the wort falls to the third,
from the third to the fourth, and so on, till it reaches the hollow trough
forming the base of the apparatus. From this trough, where it receives
its final cooling, the wort is drawn off.
The cold water by which the cooling is effected passes in a direction
contrary to that taken by the wort, that is, it enters the apparatus at the
hollow trough or base and passes upwards through the series of flat tubes
or chambers, and leaves the apparatus at the top. As the flat tubes are
slightly hollow or trough shaped they retain a portion of wort, but as
they are capable of turning through a considerable angle on the hollow
axes or trunnions supporting them, they may all be simultaneously
inclined or fixed at any required position by means of a rack and pinions
or other like contrivance.
Instead of passing cold water through the apparatus and delivering
the wort to be cooled on the exterior of the apparatus, the contrary
course may be adopted with like effect, that is, the wort may be passed
through the interior of the apparatus, and the cold water delivered on
the outside.

page_text: When the apparatus is used for condensing vapours or cooling very
volatile liquids the vapour or volatile liquid is introduced into the interior
of the apparatus, and the cold water or other cooling agent is applied to
the exterior.
The apparatus may be made rigid, that is, the flat tubes or chambers
may be fixed rigidly. In this case each of the said tubes or chambers
is provided with a stop-cock, by means of which the wort or liquid
retained on its upper trough-like face may be drawn off."
When the apparatus is rigid the junctions of the tubes or chambers
may be much simplified.
I prefer to make the hollow tubes or chambers of sheet copper, brass,
or block tin. I form from the sheet metal two narrow deep troughs,
and solder these troughs edge to edge, inclining them at a slight angle
to one another. The ends are then closed, the hollow axes or trunnions
being inserted in the said closed ends.
The apparatus is easily taken to pieces for cleaning or repair, any part
requiring it being capable of ready removal and replacement.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Horatio Bycroft in the Great Scal Patent Office
on the 19th February 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HORATIO
BYCROFT, of Burton-on-Trent, in the County of Stafford, Plumber, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in
the thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Horatio Bycroft, Her
special license that I, the said Horatio Bycroft, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Horatio Bycroft,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter

page_text: '
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COOLING WORTS AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND
FOR CONDENSING VAPOURS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Horatio Bycroft, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Horatio Bycroft, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
My Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in
apparatus for cooling worts and other liquids, and for condensing
vapours.
I construct a series of flat tubes or chambers. These tubes or chambers
are rectangular and oblong in plan, and of much greater width than
depth. The flat tubes or chambers of the series are equal or nearly
equal in depth, but in length and width they are different, each of the
tubes or chambers in tho vertical series in which, as herein-after
explained, they are arranged being wider and longer than that above it,
and narrower and shorter than that below it. The said tubes or chambers
are not quite flat, but slightly trough shaped. The said tubes or
chambers are supported at their ends by hollow axes or trunnions taking
into bearings in uprights fixed on the base of the apparatus. The ends
of the hollow axes are connected by flexible or other connections, so as to a
make the whole series a continuous zig-zag channel or passage, throngh
which liquid can circulate from top to bottom. The lowest of the flat
tubes or chambers communicates with the interior of the shallow trough
forming the base of the apparatus. The said shallow trough has in its
interior a series of plates or deflectors, by which liquid passing through
it is made to take a tortuous coursc. The wort or liquid to be cooled is
delivered on the top flat tube or chamber of the series. From this it

page_text: Figure 4 represents an end elevation, partly in section, of the same,
showing the flat or trough-like tubes or chambers of the apparatus tilted
showing the flat or trougn-like tubes or chambers or the apparatus tinted
or inclined for emptying the wort from the upper faces thereof.
Figure 5 represents a plan of the base or cellular bottom of the
apparatus.
Figure 6 represents in horizontal section one of the flat or trough-like
tubes or chambers of the apparatus detached; and Figures 7 and 8
represent opposite ends of the tube or chamber, Figure 6, the tube or
chamber being represented in section in Figure 8; Figure 8ª repre-
sents a section of the chamber taken on the line E, F, of Figure 8.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 1
to 8ª.
The said flat or trough-shaped tubes or chambers are marked a, a, in
the several Figures of the Drawings, and the trough-shaped figure of the
said tubes or chambers is best seen in Figures 7 and 8. By an exami-
nation of the said Figures 7 and 8 it will be seen that each trough-shaped
tube or chamber consists of two narrow deep troughs soldered edge to
edge, and so inclined as to have the general figure of the letter V, the
ends of the trough-shaped tube or chamber being connected together by
plates marked a³, a².
I prefer to make the tubes or chambers a, a, of sheet copper, brass, or
block tin. Each trough-shaped tube or chamber a has at its middle
hollow axes or trunnions b, b, connected to the end plates a², a², (sce
Figure 8) which axes or trunnions b, b, work in bearings c, c, in the
uprights d, d, fixed on the base or bottom e of the apparatus. The ends
of the hollow axes b, b, of the trough-like tubes or chambers a, a, are
connected together by the flexible or other connections f,f, the said
connections f, f, being secured to the ends of the hollow axes b, b, by
union joints at g, g. When the several trough-like tubes or chambers
are thus connected together, a continuous zig-zag chamber or passage is
formed, through which liquid may circulate from top to bottom of the
apparatus. Each of the flat or trough-like tubes or chambers a is
furnished in its interior with a series of plates or deflectors marked a³, a³,
(see Figure 6) by which the liquid passing through it is made to take a
tortuous course, as indicated by the arrows.

page_text: It will be seen by an examination of Figures 2, 3, and 4, that the
tubes or chambers a, a, of the series are equal or nearly equal in depth,
but in length and breadth they are different, the bottom tube or chamber
being wider and longer than that above it, and so on through the
series.
The bottom tube or chamber of the series communicates by the pipe h
(see Figures 2 and 3) with the hollow or cellular bottom i in the base of
the apparatus, the top of the said cellular chamber i and the sides of the
base e forming a receptacle e for the wort to fall into from the outsides
of the series of chambers a, a. The cellular bottom i of the apparatus
consists of a shallow trough containing a series of plates or deflectors &
(see the plan view, Figure 5). The cooling water enters the cellular
bottom i at the inlet taps k, k, and after circulating about and cooling
the said cellular bottom, leaves the said bottom and enters the bottom
chamber a of the series by the pipe h.
The wort or liquid to be cooled is connected by the delivery pipe /
with the vessel containing it, and the said wort or liquid is delivered
through a longitudinal slot in the under sido of the pipe, or is otherwise
delivered on to the outside of the top trough-like tube or chamber a.
From this it runs on to the next lower tube or chamber, which being
broader than the first catches the wort flowing over the edges of the
first. From the second tube or chamber the wort falls to the third, from
the third to the fourth, and so on till it reaches the receptacle e* in the
base of the apparatus. From the receptacle e³, where it receives its final
cooling, it is drawn off by the stop-cock m.
The cold water by which the cooling is effected passes in a direction
contrary to that taken by the wort. The said cold water enters the
hollow cellular bottom i at the stop-cocks k, k, and after traversing the
said bottom i enters the bottom flat or trough-like tube or chamber a by
the pipe, and after circulating through the tubes or chambers a, a,
leaves the apparatus at the pipe n (see Figure 2). Or the cold water
may take the same direction as the wort being cooled, that is, the cold
water may enter at the pipe n, and after circulating through the tubes
or chambers enter the cellular bottom i, and leave the said bottom i at
the stop-cocks k, k. Or instead of passing cold water through the interior
of the apparatus and delivering the wort to be cooled on the exterior of
the apparatus, the contrary course may be adopted, that is, the wort may

page_text: enter the apparatus at the stop-cocks k, k, and after circulating through
the apparatus leave it at the pipe n, and the cold water may be delivered
on to the exterior of the top chamber by the delivery pipe 7, and escape
from the receptacle e² by the stop-cock m.
For the purpose of removing the wort or liquid which is retained on
the upper trough faces of the tubes or chambers a, a, the said tubes or
chambers are capable of turning through a considerable angle on the
hollow axes or trunnions b, b, whereby the said tubes or chambers may
be tilted or inclined in the manner represented in Figure 4. This simul-
taneous tilting or inclining of the series of tubes or chambers a, a, is
effected by the vertical rack bar p connected by the short rods q, q, with
the hollow axes or trunnions b, b. A pinion r carried by the axis of the
hand wheels gears with the said rack bar p. By turning the hand
wheel 8 in one direction the pinion r raises the rack bar p, and simul-
taneously causes the whole of the tubes or chambers a, a, to be tilted or
inclined, as illustrated in Figure 4, and when so tilted or inclined the
wort which has accumulated in the troughs or lowest parts may be
drained therefrom. By turning the hand wheels in the opposite
direction the series of tubes or chambers may be tilted in the opposite
direction or restored to their normal positions.
t
For the purpose of draining the interior of the tubes or chambers a, a,
screw caps or plugs are provided at opposite ends of the chambers, by
unscrewing which plugs the liquid may be drained from the troughs or
lowest parts of the tubes or chambers. These screw caps or plugs are
best seen in Figure 6. The said caps t as well as the deflecting plates a³
may be dispensed with, and a continuous passage may be made through
the tube or chamber from end to end. This form of chamber is useful
where a plentiful supply of water can be obtained.
When it is required to remove one or other of the tubes or
chambers a, a, for cleaning or repair, it is only necessary to unscrew the
union joints g, g, of the flexible connections f, and also to unscrew the
connecting rod q from the rack bar p to permit of the lifting of the
hollow axes or trunnions of the tube or chamber from their bearings c
of the uprights d.
When the liquid to be passed through the interior of the apparatus is
under pressure, I construct the chambers of a series of circular or
elliptical tubes, the ends of the tubes opening into holes in the end

page_text: plates by which the tubes are connected together. A cellular chamber
of this kind is represented in Figure 9. By this construction the
chamber is fitted to resist the additional pressure which is put upon it
by the liquid passing through it.
In place of constructing the trough-like chambers in the manner
illustrated in Figure 6, they may be constructed in the manner illus-
trated in horizontal section in Figure 10, and end elevation in Figure 11.
In this arrangement the hollow axes or trunnions b, b, are situated at
the lowest angular parts of the chamber, and the liquid passing through
it pursues the course indicated by the arrows in Figure 10. By this
arrangement the liquid may be drained from the chamber through the
hollow axes or trunnions b, b.
Figure 12 represents in end clevation a modification of the apparatus
herein-before described; and Figure 13 is a horizontal section of the
same (partly broken off) taken on the line A, B, of Figure 12; Figure 14
represents a section of one of the chambers of the apparatus taken on
the line L, M, of Figure 13; Figure-15-represents-a-section of one-of-
the said chambers taken on the line D, E, of Figure 12. In this modi-
fication the chambers a, a, are of the same width and length, the liquid
running over the rounded edges of the chambers down the under sides
and from thence falling on to the chamber next below. The said
chambers are connected together in a different manner from that in
which the chambers of the apparatus, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, are con-
nected together. In this arrangement instead of connecting the
chambers together by the hollow axes or trunnions at the centre of each
chamber, each chamber is connected to the next above it by elastic con-
nections and union joints at u, u, one end of each of the connecting
tubes u,, being connected to the central trunnion or axis 6 of one
chamber a, and the other end of the said tubes u to the ends respectively
of the chamber a next below it, as seen in Figure 12. One of the
trunnions, or hollow axes marked 62 of each chamber serves only as
the axis on which the chamber turns.
The manner in which the water passes through the chambers of the
modification, Figure 12, is best seen in Figure 13, where the water
entering the pipes 63, 63, of the hollow trunnion or axis in the middle
of one end of the chamber a circulates through the said chamber, as
indicated by the arrows, and escapes from the said chamber by the pipes

page_text: 6, 6, at the opposite sides of the other end of the chamber. The pipes,
6, 6, are connected by the elastic connections and union joints at u,
Figure 12, with the middle of the chamber a next above it, and so on
through the series. The ends of the cellular bottom i (represented in
section in Figure 12) of the base of the apparatus are covered with
caps.
The method of tilting the chambers a, a, Figures 12 and 13, is different
from that represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. In the arrangement
Figures 12 and 13, one side of each chamber a is connected to the vertical
bar v, and the cranked lower end v² of the said bar v is jointed to the
screw w working in a screw box in the hand wheel x. By turning the
hand wheel in one or other direction the bar may be raised or
lowered, and the series of chambers simultaneously tilted or inclined.
Or instead of connecting the bar by which the chambers are tilted to
the sides of the chambers, the central trunnions of the chambers may be
provided with connecting rods as at y, y, Figure 13, and be worked from
the middle of the apparatus.
The wood base e of the apparatus may be dispensed with, and strips of
copper may be soldered to the cellular bottom i to form the receptacle e³
for the wort to fall into from the outsides of the chambers.
When the apparatus is used for condensing vapours or cooling very
volatile liquids, the vapour or volatile liquid is introduced into the
interior of the apparatus, and the cold water or other cooling agent is
applied to the exterior.
Although I prefer to make the series of chambers capable of motion
in their bearings, as herein-before described and illustrated, yet the said
chambers may be fixed rigidly in their uprights. In this arrangement
the wort or liquid retained on the upper faces of the chambers is drawn
off by stop-cocks.
By my improvements the apparatus is made very durable, possesses
great cooling power, and is very compact and readily cleaned and
repaired.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I
do not limit myself to the precise details herein described and illus-
trated, as the same may be varied without departing from the nature of

page_text: my Invention; but I claim as my Invention of improvements in
apparatus for cooling worts and other liquids and for condensing
vapours,-
First. Making the said apparatus of a series of slightly trough-shaped
tubes or chambers constructed and connected together, substantially as
herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings,
whether the said trough-shaped tubes or chambers be made capable of
turning in their bearings for tilting or inclining them, or be rigidly fixed
in their bearings or supports.
Secondly. The arrangements or combinations of parts herein-before
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, for tilting or
inclining the series of tubes or chambers for removing the wort or liquid
which may be retained on their upper trough-like faces.
Thirdly. Combining the said trough-shaped tubes or chambers of the
apparatus with a cellular bottom in communication with the interior of
the apparatus, and with a receptacle for receiving the wort or liquid
delivered on to and running from the exterior of the apparatus, sub-
stantially as berein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
set
In witness whereof, I, the said Horatio Bycroft, have hereunto
my hand and scal, this Sixteenth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
Witness,
SAMUEL BUXTON,
Burton-on-Trent.
HORATIO BYCROFT. (L.S.)