AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE SUN'S RAYS FOR GENERATING STEAM, DISTILLING LIQUIDS, AND OTHER HEATING PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Adolph Cordier, of Prince's Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND
APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE SUN'S RAYS FOR GENERATING STEAM,
DISTILLING LIQUIDS, AND OTHER HEATING PURPOSES." A communication from
abroad by Augustin Bernard Mouchot, of Tours, Indre et Loire, France,
Professor of the French University.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Adolph Cordier at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st December 1876.
ADOLPH CORDIER, of Prince's Street, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman.
"AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE SUN'S RAYS FOR
GENERATING STEAM, DISTILLING LIQUIDS, AND OTHER HEATING PURPOSES." A
communication from abroad by Augustin Bernard Mouchot, of Tours, Indro et
Loire, France, Professor of the French University.
My Invention relates to apparatus for utilizing the heat of the reflected rays of
the sun for generating steam, boiling and distilling liquids, cooking, desiccating
various materials, melting ores and metals, and for other purposes.
In the following description I have more particularly referred to the application
of the said Invention to the generation of steam, as the explanation thereby given
will enable its application for all purposes to be fully understood.
My improved apparatus is constructed as follows:-A reflector having the form
of a truncated cone, the height of which is equal to the difference between the
radii of the bases, is fitted upon a plate. In the direction of the axis of the re-
flector is fixed on the said plate a cylinder of crystal or of white glass, covering a boiler.
of copper, the outer surface of which is blackened. This boiler is composed of two
concentric shells or cases, each of which has the shape of a cylinder terminated by
a hemisphere. The liquid to be heated or vaporized occupies the greater part of
the annular space between the two concentric cylinders, the remainder being
reserved for the steam. Through an open tube traversing the inner cylinder the
steam is conducted to the outside of the apparatus. In the inner cylinder are
....

page_text: .
fitted the pipes leading to and connected with the accessories of the boiler, such a
the steam regulator valve, the steam gauge, the safety valve, and feed apparatus.
The plate on which the boiler and the reflector are fitted is mounted on a frame
provided with clockwork, by which the reflector is caused to follow the course of
the sun in order to receive constantly the solar rays parallel to its axis ; and by
means of an endless screw and worn, or other suitable gearing, I effect the
orientation of the whole apparatus corresponding to the inclination of the axis of
the earth. As soon as the orientation is effected the apparatus begins to heat, and
in a short time the water vaporises under the influence of the caloric of the solar
rays, which are cast by the reflector through the glass cover upon the surface of
the boiler, by which they are absorbed and retained, the said cover preventing
the giving back of any of the absorbed heat from the blackened surfaces of the
boiler.
One or more series of apparatus constructed according to my Invention may be
combined to work simultaneously, and all the steam may be collected first by a
special boiler, in which the steam in passing is heated again before it is used. As
by this arrangement the increase of heating surface is unlimited steam power
equal to any amount of horse power may be produced.
The regulating apparatus for orientation is constructed to regulate all the
reflectors of the series or set of apparatus at the same time in order to keep the
said apparatus at all times in its proper position.
As this improved apparatus is applicable for all purposes for which heat is
required, the boiler or alembic, when the said apparatus is to be used for sugar
making or the like, instead of being of copper may be of any other suitable metal,
or other material, as clay or glass, and instead of white glass colored glass may be
used in the said apparatus. In order to increase the boiler surface in contact with
the water in the same the boiler may have a ribbed surface, or may be composed of
straight or helicoidal pipes.
In cases where very large reflectors are required they may be composed of a
series of blades fitted on a frame. And reflectors for very small apparatus may be
made adjustable or folding in the same manner as a lady's fan.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Adolph Cordier in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st June 1877.
ADOLPH CORDIER, of Prince's Street, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman.
"AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE SUN'S RAYS FOR
GENERATING STEAM, DISTILLING LIQUIDS, AND OTHER HEATING PURPOSES." A com-
munication from abroad by Augustin Bernard Mouchot, of Tours, Indre et Loire,
France, Professor of the French University.
My Invention relates to an apparatus or machine for utilizing the heat of the
reflected rays of the sun, for generating steam, boiling and distilling liquids,
cooking, dossicating various materials, melting ores and metals, and for other
purposes.
.
In the following description I have more particularly referred to the application
of the said Invention to the generation of steam, as the explanation thereby given
will enable its application for all other purposes to be fully understood.
My improved apparatus or machine is constructed as shewn in the accompanying
Drawing, which shows a vertical longitudinal section of the same.
A reflector, having preferably the form of a truncated cone, the height of
which is equal to the difference between the radii of the bases 1, 2, is fitted upon
a plate a¹. In the direction of the axis of the reflector is fixed on the said plate
a cylinder b of crystal or white glass, or other suitable material, enclosing a boiler c
of copper, the outer surface of which is blackened, or otherwise suitably prepared,

page_text: to cause it to absorb heat. This boiler is composed of two concentric shells or
cases c', c, cach of which has the shape of a cylinder terminated by a hemisphere.
The liquid to be heated or vaporized occupies the greatest part of the annular
space between the two concentric cylinders c¹, c, the remainder of the space
within the boiler being reserved for the steam. Through an open tube c
traversing the inner cylinder the steam is conducted to the outside of the apparatus
to be utilized, as required. In the space c', inside the inner cylinder, are arranged
the pipes e leading to and connected with the accessories of the boiler, such as
the steam regulator valve, the stean gauge, the safety valve, and feed water
appliancos.
It is necessary that the said heating apparatus should be provided with con-
venient means for effecting its orientation or alignment, that is to say, its
adjustment to keep its axis perpendicular to the sun's disc. For this purpose the
plate a on which the boiler and the reflector are fitted is mounted on a frame ƒ
provided with clockwork or other mechanism, as shewn at g, by which the reflector
is or may be caused to follow the daily course of the sun in order that it may con-
stantly receive the solar rays parallel to its axis; and by means of a worm and worm
wheel h, i, or other suitable gearing, I effect the orientation or adjustment of the
said apparatus in correspondence with the inclination of the axis of the earth
throughout the year. As soon as the orientation or alignment is properly effected
the apparatus begins to heat, and in a short time the water vaporizes under the
influence of the caloric of the solar rays which are cast by the reflector through
the glass cover upon the blackened or prepared surface of the boiler, by which they
are absorbed and retained, the said cover preventing the giving back or loss by
radiation of the heat from the blackened surface of the boiler.
Two or more of the machines, constructed according to my Invention, may be
arranged or combined in series to work simultaneously; and in this case all the
steam generated in the said boilers may be collected in a separate boiler and heated
again before it is used. As by this arrangement the increase of heating surface is
unlimited, steam power equal to any amount of horse power may be produced.
The regulating apparatus for orientation is constructed to regulate all the
reflectors of the series or set of apparatus at the same time in order to keep the
said apparatus at all times in its proper position.
This improved apparatus is applicable for all purposes for which heating
apparatus is required or used. When the said apparatus is to be used for sugar
making, or other operation where a very high temperature is not required, the
boiler or alembic instead of being of copper may be constructed of any suitable
metal or other material, such as iron, clay, or glass, and instead of white glass
colored glass or porcelain may be used in the construction of the covering or
envelope of the said boiler. Or the said boiler may be used without the covering
or envelope. To increase the boiler surface in contact with the wator in the saine
the boiler may have a ribbed surface, or may be composed of straight or helicoidal
pipes.
In cases where very large reflectors are required they may be composed of a
series of blades fitted on a frame as shown. And reflectors for very small apparatus
may be made adjustable or folding in the same manner as a lady's fan.
Having thus fully described the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim in an apparatus for utilizing the heat
of the solar rays,―
First. The concentration of the solar rays upon the boiler or other vessel to be
heated by means of a reflector or reflectors, and glass or other covering placed
concentrically around the said boiler or other object, as above set forth.
Second. The apparatus consisting of the said reflectors and boiler provided with
means for orientation or adjustment to follow the course of the sun, as above set
forth.
Third. The peculiar construction of the said reflectors consisting of a series of
blades or pieces arranged and fitted together, as above set forth.

page_text: Fourth. The apparatus consisting of two or more of the aforesaid boilers and
reflectors arranged together in a series, and provided with mechanism for effecting
their simultaneous orientation, alignment, or adjustment with regard to the sun,
and with or without a separate boiler for reheating the steam, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Adolph Cordier, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
H. H. LAKE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
ADOLPH
FORDIER. (L.S.)