Year: 1886

page_text: I, LOUIS SCHUTTE, residing at corner of 12th and Thompson Streets, Philadelphia,
in the County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, in the United States of
America, gentleman, 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:—
This invention has reference to that class of condensers in which a series of
concentric nozzles are employed and the action of which is based on induced
currents established either by the pressure of the water, or by live steam or by the
inducting action of the exhaust steam to be condensed the action being maintained
wholly or mainly by the latter.
The improvement is applied particularly to those forms of apparatus in which
the jet or current of condensing water is surrounded by the exhaust steam acting
to induce its flow. Hitherto, these condensers have been of fixed capacity, the
consumption of water remaining practically constant notwithstanding changes in
the quantity of steam to be condensed. They permitted but trifling variation in
the water supply before their effect as air ejectors was destroyed and their
operation defeated.
.
The desirability of means for regulating the capacity of such condensers is
particularly apparent in the case of exhaust steam induction condensers in which
the current of air is maintained solely by the exhaust steam and in which the
volume of water should not be in excess of what can be controlled by the remaining
energy of the steam.
The principal parts of an exhaust steam induction condenser are a centrally
located water nozzle, a continuous tube or chamber into which the jet is delivered
provided with openings or inlets through which the surrounding steam is admitted
to the condensing jet and a discharge nozzle. To secure and maintain the operation
of the induced current of water it is necessary that the area of the water-nozzle
shall bear a certain proportion to the area of the smallest part or throat of the
discharge tube. A variation in the capacity of the apparatus requires therefore, a
means for reducing in equal proportion the area of the water-nozzle and of the
throat of the discharge tube simultaneously, and at the same time maintaining
such other necessary proportions as not to disturb the action of the current.

page_text: I effect this simultaneous variation in the water-nozzle and discharge tube by the
insertion of a longitudinally adjustable ram or spindle of such form that the
proportion of its sectional areas at any two points distant from each other equal to
the distance from the water nozzle to the discharge throat will be the same.
This ram constitutes one of the leading features of my invention.
The invention also includes a peculiar construction and arrangement of this
nozzle also the provision of a communication between the water nozzle and the
atmosphere through an intermediate valve; also the provision of an automatic
valve through which live steain will be admitted to maintain the action of the
apparatus when necessary; also the provision of a peculiar check valve.
In the drawings:-
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of my condenser in its preferred form.
Fig. 2 a longitudinal section of the same.
Fig. 3 a longitudinal section of the same in modified form.
Fig. 4 a diagram illustrating the relative areas of the several openings.
Fig. 5 a longitudinal section of the automatic steam controlling valve.
The body of my apparatus is constructed in substantially the usual form.
A, represents an inlet nozzle for live steam, its inner end arranged as shown to
direct the jet centrally through the apparatus in the direction of the discharge.
B, represents the water inlet nozzle located beyond the delivery end of the steain
nozzle. At an intermediate point in its length this nozzle is divided transversely
so as to form a radial opening, C, which communicates through an annular passage
with an outlet valve or cock, a, opening to the atmosphere. This is preferably as
shown in the drawing, a check valve combined with a hand screw by which it
may be fastened in a closed position as demanded.
D, represents the combining tube into which the live steam and the water jets
aré delivered. This tube is provided as shown with a large number of openings
extending from its outer surface inward and forward obliquely in the direction of
the delivery for the purpose of admitting the exhaust steam from the surrounding
chamber, E, The steam thus admitted has a large surface contact with the water,
is rapidly condensed and maintains the forward motion of the water through the
apparatus.
The steam chamber, E, communicates by a side passage, I, containing a valve, J,
with a flanged mouth or pipe, K, to which the exhaust pipe from the engine or
other source of low pressure steam supply is attached. The check valve, J, is
preferably constructed in the peculiar manner hereinafter described. Centrally
through the combining tube and the water tube I extend a tapered regulating
spindle, G, movable in an endwise direction. Its upper end made of angular
section, ribbed or otherwise constructed to admit of the steam passing around it, is
inserted within and guided by the live steam nozzle, A. Its lower end is seated
in a stop or guide formed in the body of the apparatus as shown. The character
of this spindle and its relation to the water nozzle and the discharge throat are
plainly illustrated in the diagram, Fig. 4.
Let, a¹, represent the diameter of the water nozzle; b¹, the diameter of the throat
of the discharge tube; c¹, the diameter of the spindle, when adjusted in the particular
position shown, at the plane of the water nozzle; d, the diameter of the spindle
at the plane of the throat of the discharge tube; and, e, f, the diameters of the
spindle at any other points whose distance from each other is equal to the distance
from, a¹ to b¹.
The proportion should then be (area, al
(area, a¹,
----
area e¹) (area, 61-.
:
area, f¹):-
area, c¹): (area, b¹ area, (¹):
It follows, therefore, that if the spindle or ram be of increasing or decreasing
areas, by its movement upward or downward, the areas between the inlet nozzle
and the spindle, and the discharge throat and the spindle will be increased or
diminished, maintaining however a constant ratio or proportion.
Means of any suitable character may be employed to effect the adjustment of the
spindle.-

page_text: As a simple means of adjusting the spindle, I recommend the employment of a
screw, d, threaded into the upper end of the spindle and journalled at its upper
end through the top of the body with a hand wheel, e, applied to its outer end.
As a means of indicating the position of the spindle I propose to attach thereto,
a rod, f, which is extended outward centrally through the adjusting screw so that
its outer end which will be properly graduated will be exposed to view.
To the pipe N, which delivers the exhaust steam into the apparatus I connect a
valve O, communicating with the atmosphere. This may be an ordinary check
valve opening outward from the supply pipe or it may be constructed in any other
appropriate manner provided only that it remains closed during the maintenance
of the vacuum in the apparatus, and that it will yield to the external pressure and
permit the escape of the steam to the atmosphere whenever the operation of the
condenser stops so that a vacuum no longer exists. To the starting valve before
alluded to, I connect a pipe k, the mouth of which is sealed by immersion in water
as shown in Fig. 1.
This pipe is an additional safeguard against the leakage of air through the
valve, a, and also insures the condensation of the steam which may escape in
starting the apparatus.
At its upper end the water inlet nozzle is fashioned into or communicates with
a water supply pipe, N', which is carried downward below the surface of the water
and provided at its extremity with a strainer, O¹, having very coarse openings or
inlets. I also provide the pipe, N¹, at any suitable point above its mouth with a
second strainer, P, having smaller openings. If desired a check valve, Q, may be
placed in the pipe at a suitable point to maintain the water therein when the
apparatus is not in action. To the live steam nozzle I connect the live steam
pipe, R, provided with the automatic valve S. This valve may be of either of the
various known forms adapted to be actuated by a vacuum or by a pressure of a
fluid applied from an external source, but I recommend a valve of substantially
the construction represented in Fig. 5. To the operating or controlling chamber
of this valve, I connect a pipe T, extending to the chamber E Whenever the
supply of exhaust steam is sufficient to maintain the operation of the apparatus, a
vacuum or partial vacuum is maintained in the chamber, E. This vacuum being
communicated through the pipe, T, to the valve, S, the latter remains closed and
prevents the admission of live steam.
When, from any cause the operation of the condenser ceases so that a vacuum no
longer exists in the chamber, E, the variation in the pressure or in the vacuum
communicated through pipe, T, will cause the opening of valve, S, thereby
admitting live steam to maintain the flow of water through the condenser until the
exhaust steam is again supplied.
It will be observed that in this manner the variations in the pressure or in
the vacuum in chamber, E, are applied to control the admission of live steam and
that the operation of the apparatus is automatically continued notwithstanding
intermissions in the supply of live steam.
If preferred, the ram or spindle may be made of a tubular form as shown in
Fig. 3, and mounted around and guided by a central water inlet pipe which will
enter the apparatus at the base and extend upward rigidly and centrally therein to
a point near the top as shown.
I will now describe the construction of the check valve, J. a³, represents the
valve proper adapted to fit at its periphery closely upon the seat or throat from
which it may be lifted like an ordinary puppet valve. In the present instance it
is constructed of a bell form, that is to say, with a chamber or cavity in its
underside.
Within this chamber or cavity is mounted a piston or diaphragm, 62, which
remains under ordinary conditions in a stationary position, slightly above the level
of the valve, a, in order to confine the fluid which is admitted into the space or

page_text: chamber c², through a passage, d², in the valve spindle from the receiving side of
the valve. The piston, 62, is fastened to a vertical stem or spindle, e², which may
be secured rigidly to the body of the valve so as to render the piston immovable,
or threaded and extended through the top of the body as shown so that the piston
may be adjusted vertically.
The fluid entering the valve body on the receiving side passes through the
passage, d, of the spindle into the chamber c², and acts to lift the valve, a³, from
its seat.
The proportions of the various parts are such that the fluid pressure
within the chamber, c², is sufficient to overcome the counter pressure above the
valve, lift the latter from its seat and maintain it in the elevated position as long
as there is the slightest excess of pressure at the inlet side of the body or in other
words as long as there is the slightest current through the body toward the
delivery side.
+
If it is desired to secure the valve, in a closed position, the result may be effected
by turning the spindle, e, downward. The essence of the invention consists in
the employment of the pressure chamber or piston or their mechanical equivalents
in combination with the valve to control its rising and falling motion.
The form of the pressure chamber may be inodified, and it may be located
either above or below the valve in connection with a plate or piston attached to
.the valve stem.
I will now describe the construction of the automatic valve, S, in its preferred
form.
a³, represents a check or puppet valve having a hollow spindle which commu-
nicates at one end with the receiving throat of the valve body. On the delivery side
of the valve, the spindle is secured to a piston, 63, fitting closely in a cylinder, d³,
formed on one side of the body. The outer end of the cylinder is closed by a cap
or head containing a chamber, es, which communicates by a central throat or
passage f3 with the cylinder.
Steam or other fluid entering the valve body and passing through the spindle
into the cylinder behind the piston, 63, acts to force the latter backward and open
the main valve, a³, The admission of steam into the cylinder is prevented when the
valve is to remain closed by means of a secondary valve, g³, extending through
the throat, 3, and secured to a flexible diaphragm, h³, or a piston forming the
upper wall of the chamber, e³, which chamber communicates through the pipe, T,
before alluded to, with the vacuum chamber, E, of the condenser. The spindle of
valve, g³, is continued above the diaphragm and provided with nut, 23, and with
a spiral spring, j³, which acts between the nut and a bearing on the body to urge
the diaphragm upward and open the valve, g³.
During the maintenance of a vacuum in the chamber, e³, the pressure of the
external air is sufficient to depress the diaphragm and keep the valve, g³, closed
thus excluding steam from the cylinder and permitting the main valve, a³, to remain
closed.
When, however, the vacuum ceases or falls below the predetermined limit, the
spring j³ lifts the diaphragm and the valve g³, admitting steam behind the piston
so as to force the main valve open and thereby admit live steam to the condenser
through the nozzle, A. In place of the spring, j³, a cylinder and piston supplied
with live steam may be used to urge the diaphragm upward.
A threaded spindle, k³, may be arranged to act directly on the main valve to
hold it closed; and a screw, 13, may be used to hold the valve, g³, in à closed
position.
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 :-
1. In a condenser, of the type herein described, the usual water nozzle, condensing
tube and discharge tube, in combination with a movable ram or spindle constructed

page_text: substantially as described, to change the areas of the water-nozzle and the discharge
nozzle to maintain a constant ratio between them.
2. In a condenser of the type herein described, the combination with the water
inlet nozzle, the condensing tube and the discharge tube, of the tapered movable
spindle extending through the nozzle and the discharge tube, substantially as
described.
3. In a condenser of the type herein described, the live steam nozzle, in combi-
nation with the inovable ram or spindle haying its end guided by the steam nozzle,
substantially as described.
4. In combination with the ram and its adjusting screw, the indicator spindle
extended through the screw to the exterior of the apparatus substantially as
described.
5. In a condenser to be operated by exhaust or low pressure steam, the combi-
nation of a combining tube with inlet openings as described its enclosing chamber,
the water admission nozzle the passage leading from an intermediate point in the
water nozzle to the atmosphere and a valve closing said passage.
6. In a condenser of the type herein described, a pipe sealed at one end by
immersion in water, and communicating at the opposite end with the water
nozzle B, through an opening or passage at an intermediate point in the length
of the latter.
7. In combination with a condenser of the type herein described, the outwardly
opening exhaust valve to permit the free escape of incoming steam when the
condensing action ceases.
8. In a condensing apparatus, as a means of automatically supplying live steam
to maintain its action during the cessation of exhaust steam, the combination of a
steam jet condenser and a live steam supply valve connected by operating appliances
with the vacuum chamber of the condenser and controlled by variations in the
vacuum or pressure therein.
9. In combination with a condenser of the type herein described, to be operated
by exhaust or low pressure steam a valve to admit live steam to continue the
action of the apparatus during the temporary failure of exhaust steam and devices
to open and close said live steam valve connected with and controlled by the
vacuum in the condenser, whereby the live steam is automatically shut off during
the maintenance of the vacuum by the exhaust steam.
10. In combination with the combining tube, its encircling chamber and the
water nozzle, the live steam nozzle, the automatic valve, S, controlled by fluid
pressure through an auxiliary piston and valve, and a pipe connecting the same
with the interior of the condenser.
11. In combination with the valve body, and a check valve, a², located therein,
a fluid pressure chamber located at the receiving side of the valve and communi-
cating by a port or passage with the inlet side of the body whereby the inflowing
fluid is applied to open the valve.
12. The body and the recessed check valve, a², in combination with the fixed
piston within the valve, and the port or passage of restricted area, forming a
communication between the valve chamber and the inlet port.
13. A recessed check valve protected on its receiving side by a piston or
diaphragm from the direct action of the inflowing current, but communicating
with said current by a passage of relatively small area whereby the force of the
inflowing fluid is applied to effect the gradual opening of the valve.
14. In combination with the body, the valve, a³, the diaphragm, 63, the inlet
port, d, and adjustable spindle, e³.
15. The main valve, a³, its piston and the cylinder for the latter, in combination
with the auxiliary valve controlling the action of a fluid on the piston to move the
main valve and a diaphragm or its equivalent controlled by fluid pressure to operate
the auxiliary valve.

page_text: 16. The valve body having the main inlet and outlet openings, the main valve, a³,
its piston, 63, the cylinder containing said piston, the fluid passage from the inlet
side of the body to the cylinder, the auxiliary valve, g³, to control said passage the
chamber having the yielding wall, h³, connected with the auxiliary valve, and the
spring tending to open the auxiliary valve, said elements combined, substantially
as described.