US1478863A - Process and machine for refrigeration - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 25

w. STEWART PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR REFRIGERATION Filed May 16. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ra 0u 5 6 @w114 j a .051 l. 7 l r @u f i /f w/ a 1 n a wl .w L l, M y M w w i Wu 00.000 z M .w a M@ w. STEWART i PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR REFRIGERATION Filed 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mgm 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 16,

W STEWART PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR REFRIGERATION Dec. 25 1923.

Dec. 25, 1923. 1,478,863

f W. STEWART PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR REFRIGERATION Filed May 16, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 25, 1923. l

yUNITED STATES YWILLIAM s'rEWAR'r, or roR-trLAND, MAINE.

PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR REFRIGERATION.

Appncanpn ined May 146,192.71. seria; No. 469,903.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM STEWART,

a citizen of -t-he United States, residing at Portland, in the `county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented new and useful Improvements in Processes and Machines for Refrigeration, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates toV refrigerating machines, having been designed more par'- ticularly for the manufacture of blocks tof ice, although many of .the principles thereof might be utilized gto condense out solids by refrigeration from liquid or gaseous material, as, for example, for the separation of` paraffin from oil or for fractional distillation or rectification. -In machines of this character where it is desired. to freeze water into solid blocks of ice, it has been found necessary in order to form clear ice to agitate the water -while it is being frozen to permit the .escape of occluded gases, or to employ distilledwater. It is also well known that as the ice is built up on the walls of the container it forms a non-heat conducting layer `of constantly increasing thickness which causes the freezing to take place at a constantly decreasing rate, this rate decreasing approximately as the square of the thickness of the layer. As the losses by radiationand conduction from the exterior of the machine are practically constant and represent al large factor in operating costs, it is evident that the increasing time required to freeze the block toward its center is accompanied by a constantly decreasing effi.- ciency. It is therefore desirable that the entire freezing operation take place as quickly as possible consistent with other operating factors. time and to ensure that clear blocks of ice may be made, this invention provides means whereby the water is applied to the interior of cells, the wallsl of which are surrounded by a refrigerant, in such a manner that it is chilled lat the point of application so that it is not necessary for yall the heatpremoved in the freezing operation to pass through the ice already formed. For this purpose Awhen manufacturing ice and for other purposes when performing other operations, this invention makes use of the vacuum principle so .that the latent heat of vaporization Vof the liquid is made Vuse of to lower the temperature of the liquid as it is s applied tothe interior Vwalls of the cells.

In order to decreasethe freezing This not only causes a marked chilling of the liquid but the presence of the vacuum also materially raises the temperature of the freezing point in a manner well known. The spraying of the liquid also allows the occluded gases to escape therefrom, these gases vbeing removed by the mechanism for maintaining the vacuum.

In order to ensure the supplying of a sufficient quantity of liquid to .the walls of the cell so that it may not :be turned into a frost which in casev of water would cause opaque ice to be formed, and at the lsame time to ensure that no body of liquid shall remain in the cell and be subject Only to surface evaporation, this invention provides means for spraying the liquid from beneath within the open end of the cell so that the excess liquid may drain from the lower end thereof down into the supply tank, thus providing a continuous circulation therefor. This action cools the entire body of liquid by the excess flow so that there is no loss from this excess. As the cake or block is built up within the cell, the spray may be regulated to provide the proper amount of liquid and at the same time additional cooling sprays may be thrown into operation so that the rate of cooling is maintained practically constant throughout the formation of the cake. In order that'the cakes may be readily removed from the cells, each cell is formed tapered, the smaller end thereof being positioned upwardly and the cells being held in fixed position. A platform is movable upwardly to close the lower end of the cell, and when the cake has been formed it may be detached from the walls of the cell by passing a heated fluid therearound in place of the refrigerant, and then lowering the platform, the cakes being lowered therewith where they may be readily removed.

In refrigerating machines .employing a refrigerant circulation about the cells, some difficulty has been experienced from the refrigerant clinging to the walls of the cel-l, or occluded gases therein forming a layer thereagainst, which materially impairs the speed and efficiency of heat abstraction. VIn order to overcome this difficulty, this yinvention provides a construction of outer cell wall by which the refrigerant has imparted thereto cross currents immediately adjacent the cell wall, which serve to agitato the current of refrigerant so that occluded gases and warmer layers of refrigerant are not permitted to remain in contact with the cell wall.

The vacuum in the cells is preferably maintained by means of a steam ejector which may be operated, if desired, by the exhaust steam from the actuating power plant, and in connection therewith this invention provides a condenser of novel form, by the agency of which a high vacuum is easily maintainable.

he objects and advantages above enumerated, together with further objects, advantageous details and combinations of parts will appear from a more complete description of an embodiment of this invention disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a central vertical section through the machine, the condenser being shown partly in elevation.

Figure 1a is a view similar to a. portion of Figure l but to a larger scale.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a View partly in vertical section of a cell.

Figure 5 is a vertical section through a spray nozzle and test rod.

Figure 6 is an end View of the same parts.

Figure 7 is an end view of a. sprayer.

Figure 8 is a sectional detail of a sealing joint.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 1, the cells in which the ice or other solid is to be formed are positioned between a pair of horizontal plate members 1 and 2, having perforations therethrough for the reception of the cells 3. Near their circumferences the plates 1 and 2 are joined by means of a pair of concentric circular walls 4 and 5 which form between them an annular space in which a vacuum may be maintained, as will later appear, to serve as a non-heat conducting casing. vWithin the wall 4 and surroundingr the cells 3 a refrigerant may be circulated and for this purpose an impeller 6 is positioned centrally of the machine at the lower end of a tube 7. This tube is supported from the plate 2 by means of a series of brackets 8 spaced apart to allow the passage of refrigerant therebetween. The impeller 6 is driven by means of a shaft 9, which extends upwardly through a refrigerant supply pipe 10, through a stuffing box 11 at the end of this pipe, and through a bearing 12 at the upper end of which it carries a bevel gear 13, by which it may be actuated by any suitable mechanism not shown. The impeller is driven in a direction to circulate the refrigerant, such as brine, downwardly through Vthe tube i and upwardly around the cells 3. The'pipe 10 for the refrigerant terminates at its npper end in a branch 14, through which either Ahot yor cold liquid may be supplied, as'desired. In order to prevent the refrigerant or occluded gases therein from clinging tol the walls of cells 3, the walls of each cell are provided with a plurality of series of relatively angularly disposed external corrugations shown at 3 in Figure 4.V These corrugations are disposed in herringbone change the layers thereof in contact withL the cell.

Positioned beneath the plate 2 is a down- Y wardly extending supporting casing 16 having an outwardly turned lower flange portion 17. This casing 16 is carried on a series of brackets 18 fixed to the upper end of posts 19 extendin downwardly to a; casing 20 forming t e base of the machine. vertically movable within the posts 19 is a table comprising a liquid supply tank for the cells 3 having a lower wall 21, an upper wall 22 and a side wall 23. The lower wall 21 forms the upper side of a pressure tank, the lower wall of which is shown at 24, and the side wall of which is indicated at 25. This table may be sealed against the lower edges of the casin 16 as follows. Surrounding the lower e ge of the liquid reservoir side wall 23 is a ring member 26 positioned opposite the flange 17. This flange and the ring 26 have mating annular grooves therein for the reception of a pneumatic tube or air bag 27, as shown more particularly in Figure 8, this tube having an air valve 28 by which it may be inflated, extending upwardly therefrom. The outer edge of the plate 21 is upwardly turned at 29 to furnish a space between it and the ring 26 and flange 17 for the reception of a liquid seal shown at 30. This table may be raised into sealing contact with the casing or lowered therefrom. For this purpose, the l'ower plate 29 of this table has fixed thereto a plurality of cylinders 31 depending therefrom, which serve as guides for the upper ends of slotted plungers 32. These plungers have splines 33 lpassed through their slots and engaging in the.

walls of the tubes 31, by which means the plungers are held from rotation relative to the tubes, and they terminate at their lower ends at disc portions 34 between which and outwardly turned flanges 35 at the upper end. ofV the tubes 31 are coil springs 36.

The plungers 32 beneath the discs 34 are' project downwardly in threaded engage.- ment with a series of gears 38 j ournaled on the upper face of the casing 20. These gears mesh with a central gear 39 carried on a shaft 40 extending downwardly within the casing 20 where it has fixed thereto a bevel gear 41 meshing with a bevel pinion 42 carried by a shaft 43 projecting outwardly from the casing 2O where it may be provided with an suitable means for turning the same, suc 1 vas a motor shown at 44. By actuation of this motor, it is evident that the gears 38 may be turned to simultaneously raise and lower the screws 37 to bring the table up into sealing engagement with the ring 16 or to lower the saine to ward the casing 20. As shown in Figure 1, a foundation 45 for the casing 2O has been provided, perforations 46 therein being made for the reception of the lower end of the screws 37 when the table is in lowered position.

The spring supports for the table ensure that the table may be brought up into sealing contact with the vacuum casing without probability of injury to the raising mechanism, while the seal comprising the pneumatic tu'be and the liquid trough in which it is positioned eusures against the possibility of entrance of air when the machine is in operation.

This table, which, as above described, carries a pressure tank and a liquid supply tank, also carries mechanism by which the liquid may be pumped from the supply tank into the pressure tank, this mechanism comprising a centrifugal pump, shown at 50 in Figure 1, driven by a motor 5l, the pump having a supply pipe 52 communicating with the supply tank and an outlet pipe 53 communicating with the pressure tank, this outlet pipe having a valve 54 therein for a purpose to be later described. The pipe 53 also has in communication therewith a pipe 55 having a valve 56 therein, this pipe projecting upwardly outside of the machine casing and having a slidable fluid tight joint at 57 with a vertically extending pipe 58, the purpose of which will 'be described later. The pipe 52 has a valve 52 therein and a pipe 59 communicating` with this pipe below the valve 52 extends downwardly and is intended to be connected to a suitable liquid supply (not shown), from which the supply tank may. be filled as occasion requires.

In order to spray liquid from the pressure tank into the cells, the plate 21 hasv fixed thereon a plurality of spraying nozzles 60 which pass upwardly through the liquid in the supply tank and are in communication through the plate 21 with liquid in the pressure tank. The upper ends of these nozzles project toward perforations l61 formed in the plate 22V which perforations are of somewhat larger diameter than the top of each content thereof.

spray nozzle. One nozzle is supplied for each cell 3 and is positioned to direct a spray Vof liquid vertically the-rein, the liquid running down the interior walls thereof and such as is not congealed being caught on the plate 22 and returned to the supply tank either through the openings 61 or around the outer edge of this plate.

The construction of each spray-nozzle is shown in detail in Figure 5. It comprises an outer casing 62 which passes downwardly through a perforation in the plate 21 and has fixed thereto at its upper end by means of a union 63 a nozzle element 64. This nozzle element is internally screw threaded for the reception of a sprayer having spiral 0r inclined iiutings 66 therein, which form passageways fort-he liquid to impart a rotary motion to the spray and to divide it finely. The sprayer 65 is fixed within the nozzle element 64 by means of a set screw 67 fit-ting in mating grooves in the sprayer and the nozzle element. Threaded in the sprayer 65 isa sleeve 68 terminating at its upper end in a tapered valve 69 which projects upwardly through the end of the nozzle 64. The sleeve 68 is fixed to a tube 70 of considerably smaller diameter than the tube 62 which passes downwardly through the supply chamber and through a stuffing box 71 carried on the lower face of the base plate 24, this stuiiing box being provided with a tightening gland 72 and a. packing 73. This gland is pressed against the packing 73 by means of a series of studs 74 having nuts 7 5 threaded on their lower end. These studs have collars 7 6 formed thereon for retaining a bracket element 77 which projects downwardly below the tube for a purpose to be later described. Intermediate the ends of this bracket is fixed a pointer 7 8 projecting in proximity to an index mark 79 formed on the tube 70. A hand wheel 8O is fixed adjacent the lower end to the tube 70 by which this tube may be turned to adjust the position of the element 69 within the nozzle. It is evident from this construction that the liquid under pressure may pass up around the pipe 7 0 within the slee-ve 62 and thence through the fiutings 66 and out through the nozzle element 64 around the valve member 69, this construction forming in effect a needle valve spray nozzle.

In order toprovide means for determining the rate of formation of the congealed cake within the cell, a test rod shown at 81 is passed up through the tube 70 and the valve 69 and may be projected upwardly into the cell until it contacts with the solid This rod 81 projects through a stufhnoj box 82 on the lower end of the pipe 70 and has fixed at its lower end a lifting handle 83 accessible to manual actuation. When the rod is in its lowered position, this handle rests on the lower end of the bracket arm 77, which is turned there under at 84 for this purpose. In order to provide a liquid seal for the joint. between the testing rod 81 and the pipe 70, areceptacle made of rubber yor other suitable material is positioned `about `the rod 81, shown at 85, for containing water extending upwardly toward the wheel 80.

In order to produce a vacuum in 'the cells the following construction is provided. The Yplatev 1 is surmounted Vby a hood 90 made fast thereto about its periphery', this hood having an upwardly extending flanged opening 91, to which may be attached a pipe leading to a vacuum pump system, as will be described later. To ensure equalization of pressure between opposite ends of the cells, a plurality of equalizing pipes shown at 92 are positioned between the plates 1 and 2 and provide passageways between the upper portion of the machine beneath the dome and the liquid supply reservoir. As these connections might be shutoff by liquid freezing therein, supplemental 'equalizing pipes Vextending through the sides of the dome 90 and the side plate 16 are shown at 93. These pipesare preferably provided with Valves 94 and one of lthese pipes carries brackets 95 by which the vertical pipe 58 before referred to may be held in position. An equalizing pipe 96 shown at the right hand side of Figure 1 connects the .space between walls 4 and 5 with the upper portio-n of the dome 90 to maintain a vacuum therein.

The upper ends of the cells 3 are open and positioned above the same and fixed to the plate 1 are a series of upwardly directed funnel shaped members 97 having baffles 98 positioned adjacent their upper ends. These baffles prevent the liquid projected upwardly within the cells from passing entirely through and above the plate 1 while permitting the vapors arising from the spray to pass outwardly. In order to condense these vapors so as to increase the effectiveness of the vacuum producing mechanism, a system of spirally arranged coil pipes shown at 100 is positioned thereabove. The inner ends of these spirals communicate with a pipe 101 surrounding and spaced from the pipe 1.0 so that the refrigerant after passing about the cells may flow upwardly through this space and through these spira-l coils, the outer ends of which open into a pair of downwardly directed pipes 102 at diametrically opposite sides of the machine. The spirals in the different sets connect alternately with opposite pipes 102. These pipes co-me together about the pipe 10 at 103 and furnish a passage therearound into a casing 104, to which is attached an outlet pipe shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 at 105.

During the operation of the machine the vapors arising from the cells are condensed and congealed on thePsp-iral pipes 100 and form frost thereon. ln order to remove this frost and at the same time to make usel of the low temperature thereof in cooling the supply liquid, the pipe 58' above referred to the cells, the less volatile products are condensed on the coils and in the equalizing pipe 92 and the more volatile products carried off through the exhaust passage 91 by a vacuum pump.

As cells 3 become filled, the upper ends thereof are closed ofl' first since the cells are smaller at that point, and the cake is formed downwardly. necessary to employ as heavy a spray from the nozzles 60 as the cellsbecome filled and in order to effect a large area of spray from which vapor may be condensed to cool the liquid a series of supplemental sprays within the supply tank have been indicated at 111. These sprays derive their supply from a pipe 112 which connects through a pipe 113 to the outlet from the pump 50. This pump 50 may be encased in a liquid seal to has extensions indicated diagrammatr, cally 1n Figure 1, projecting downwardly lVhen It is therefore un` avoid the possibility of air entering the machine from the various joints therein, such a seal being indicated at 114 and comprising a casing in which the pump is placed, a supply pipe 115 having a funnel 116 at its outer end being provided for the purpose of supplying liquid thereto,

ln order to produce the vacuum in the machine the portion 91 of the dome may have attached thereto at 120 a steam ejector having a steam nozzle 121 deriving its steam from any suitable source such as the exhaust from an engine or compressor in the power plant. This nozzle 121 entrains the vapors in a Venturi tube 122, from the end of which passes a pipe 123 connecting to one end of an atomizer condenser. As shown more particularly in Figure 1, this condenser comshaft 128, this ring having thereon a pair of series of oppositely directed varies 129 and 130. The vanes 129 rotate in the plane of the openings 126 and serve to thoroughly mix the water passing therethrough with the steam and vapors entering` through the pipe 123. The vapors 130 are oppositely directed to the vanes V129 and serve to mpel the mixed Water and vapors into the intake of a centrifugal pump 1311 by which they are removedtogether. The shaft 128 carrying the impellers is also the shaft for the pump 131 and outwardly of this pump this shaft is connected to al motor 132. The pump and condenser may be mounted within a water seal comprising a casing 133 supplied with water, to prevent leakage of air through the joints of this mechanism. When this 'machine is used for oil, the steam ejector isV not suitable since it is desirable to condense the volatile products in purey condition. A vacuum pump of other type is therefore necessaryv in place of the ejector and condenser above described.

After the machine has once been eX- bausted as by means of the nozzles and Venturi tube to remove the air, it may not be found necessary to continue the operation of this mechanism, except occasionally to take care of air leakage or as a teaser to increase the extent of rarefaction, since the pipes 100 remove the vapor as formed v at the spray, reducing the pressure in the machine and causing further vaporization. The coils then serve the double function `of causingv rapid vaporization and removing the Vapor as fast as formed while the low temperature of the solidified vapor is employed by means of the sprays 110 to further cool the liquid. As the liquid remains in the system, the air is soon removed therefrom by initial operation of the vacuumproducing mechanism and therefore the entrance of air to the machine may be rendered very slow. This double function of coils 100 and the method of operation permitted thereby are believed to be broadly new.

From the above description it is seen that this invention provides a means whereby the cells in which the ice or other solid is to be congeal'ed are chilled by the presence of a refrigerant circulated thereabout, while the liquid to be conges-led is sprayed in a vacuum whereby the coiigealin'g temperature is raised, the vaporsv arising therefrom beingV condensed to aid in the production of a high vacuum, andthe latent heatV of vaporizat'ion beingw used tolower theY temperature of the liquid as itv applied to the 1nterior walls of the cell or' tothe layer of solid already congealed thereon. By this means the liquid is cooled at the point of contact witli the congealedsiiiifaceso that cngelatiii" progresses at a lrapid rate.

`When this action is complete, the congealed cakes mayA be loosened from the cells by passing a heated liquid in place of the refrigerant and then on lowering the table these blocks are allowed to descend therewith out of the lower ends of the cells in position where they may be readily removed for use.

Having thus described one embodiment of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications might be made therein without departing from its spirit or scope as defined by the appended claims.

1. The process of forming a congealed cake which consists in spraying a liquid upwardly in a refrigerating atmosphere from without into the open end of a container, permitting the uncongealed liquid to drain therefrom, and continuing the operation until the container is substantially filled.

2. The process of forming a congealed cake which consists in spraying a liquid upwardly from without into the open end of a container while maintaining substantially' less than atmospheric pressure therein, permitting the uncongealed liquid to drain therefrom and continuing the operation until the container is substantial-ly filled.

3. The process of forming a congealed cake which consists in spraying a liquid up` wardly from wi'thout into the open end of a container, while maintaining substantially less than atmospheric pressure therein and cooling the walls thereof, permitting the uncongealed liquid to drain therefrom, and continuing the operation until the container is substantially filled.

1. The process of forming a congealed cake which consists in cooling the walls of a container, spraying a liquid to be congealed from without into said container in arefrigerating atmosphere, and continuing the operation until the container is substantially filled.

5. The process of congealing a liquid which consists in continuously circulating a body of the liquid to be congealed, and spraying saidliquid at one portion of its path under reduced pressure conditions.

G. The process which consists in continuously circulating a body of liquid, spraying said liquid at one portion of its path adjacent a chilled surface, and removing the vapors produced by said spray.

7. The process which consists in continuously circulating a body ofliquid, sprayingthe liquid at one portion of its path, removing the vapor produced by said spray to induce further vaporization and to chill the liquid and congeal a portion thereof, and collecting the congealed portion.

8. In a' refrigerating machine, a container having external corrugations thereon arranged at acutea-ngles'l `toene' of 'its dimensions, and means for circulating a refrigerant about said container in the general direction of said dimension.

erant upwardly about said container.

10. In a refrigerating machine, a container to be cooled having corrugations on its external surface arranged in herringbone formation, and means for directing refrigerant across said corrugations.

11. An apparatus comprising a cell, means for applying ai cooling fluid to the exterior of said cell, means for applying a reduced pressure in the interior thereof, devices for providing a spray in the interior thereof directed from the bottom of the cell, and a testing rod arranged for insertion into said cell.

12. In combination, a cell, a spraying nozzle for injecting a liquid into the same to be congealed, and an independentlymovable'testing rod passing through the spraying nozzle. i

13. An apparatus comprising an open ended cell, a spray nozzle positioned to spray int-o said cell, and a testing rod passing through said nozzle and movable to project into said cell.

14. An apparatus comprising-a cell open at its ends, means for circulating a refrigerant about said cell, means for maintaining a vacuum in said cell, and means outside said cell for spraying a liquid into the cell at one end.

15. An apparatus comprising a cell open at its ends, means for circulating a refrigerant about said cell, means for maintaining a vacuum in said cell, means outside said cell for spraying a liquid into the cell at one end, and means for equalizing the pressure at opposite ends of said cell.

16. An apparatus comprising a tank for a liquid, an open ended cell in communication with said tank, means for spraying liquid from said tank through one end into said cell, and means for maintaining a vacuum in said tank and cell.

17. An apparatus comprising a tank for a liquid, an open ended cell in communication with said tank, means for spraying liquid from said tank through one end into said cell, means for maintaining a vacuum in said tank and cell.l and a supplemental liquid sprayer in said tank.

18. An apparatus comprising a vertically movable table comprising a tank, an up- Wardly tapered open ended cell supported above said table, means for producing a liquid spray from said tank into said cell,

and means for raising and lowering said.

table to and from the lower end of said cell. 1'9. An apparatus comprising a cell, means for applying a cooling uid to the exterior of said cell, means for applying a reduced pressure in the interior thereof, devices for providing a spray to be congealed into a block in the interior thereof, and a movable apparatus beneath the cell for supporting the spraying devices land receiving the congealed blocks from said cell.

20. An apparatus comprising a` cell, means for applying a cooling iuid to the exterior of said cell, means for applying a reduced pressure to the interior of said cell, devices for providing a spray to be congealed into a block in the interior thereof, a movable apparatus beneath said cell for supporting the spraying devices and receiving the congealed blocks, and means for moving said apparatus comprising gears having springs interposed between the same and said apparatus.

21. In combination, a cell, means for congealing a liquid therein, a spraying nozzle adapted to be brought in proximity to the lower portion of said cell, a liquid supply tank through which the nozzle projects, a liquid pressure tank located adjacent the supply` tank and communicating with the nozzle, and means for supplying the liquid under pressure from the supply tank to the pressure tank.

22. In combination, a cell, means for congealing a liquid therein, a spraying nozzle adapted to be brought in proximity to the lower portion of the cell, a liquid supply chamber through which the spraying nozzle projects, a liquid pressure tank located adjacent the liquid supply tank and communicating with the nozzle, means for supplying the liquid under pressure from the supply tank to the pressure tank, and means for moving` the nozzle and tanks to and from the cell.

23. In combination, an upwardly converging cell, and means for spraying liquid into the bottom thereof /lcomprising a liquidir supply tank arranged within an opening through-which the spray is projected to receive the drippings from the cell.

2a. In combination, a cell, and means for spraying a liquid into the bottom thereof comprising a liquid supply tank arranged with an opening through which the spray is projected to receive the drippings from the cell.

An apparatus comprising a vertically movable table, an upwardly tapered open ended cell supported above said table, means for raising and lowering said table to and from the lower end of said cell, a liquid tank carried by said table, a spray nozzle, and means for forcing the liquid from said tank through said nozzle into said cell.

26. An apparatus comprising a vertically movable table, an upwardly tapered open ended cell supported above saidA table, means for raising and lowering said table to and fr'om'the lower end of said cell, a liquid tank carried by said table, a spray nozzle, means for forcing the liquid from said tank through said nozzleinto said cell, and means for maintaining a vacuum in said cell-and tank When said table is at its upper limit of movement.

27. An apparatus comprising a cell, means for cooling said cell, movable apparatus for receiving a congealed block from said cell, and an inflatable air bag for producing a tight joint between the movableapparatus and the cell.

28. An apparatus comprising a cell, means for cooling said cell, movable apparatus for receiving a congealed block from said cell, an inflatable air bag for producing a tight joint between the movable apparatus and the cell, and a liquid seal for said joint.

29. An apparatus comprising a supply tank, a pressure tank, and a cell, means for forcing liquid from said supply tank to said pressure tank, and means permitting the How of liquid from said pressure tank to said cell, the liquid being permitted to flow from said cell to said supply tank.

30. An apparatus comprising a supply tank, a pressure tank, and a cell, means for forcing liquid from said supply tank to said pressure tank, means permitting the flow of liquid from said pressure tank to said cell, the liquid being permitted to flow from said cell to said supply tank, and means for producing a vacuum in said cell and above the liquid in said supply tank.

3l. An apparatus having a table comprising a supply tank and a pressure tank, means for forcing liquid from said supply tank to said pressure tank, a nozzle forming an outlet for said pressure tank, an open ended casing, an open ended cell in said casing, means to move said table to bring it into and out of sealing engagement with the open end of said casing with said nozzle extending toward the open end of said cell, and means for maintaining a vacuum in said casing and cell When said table is in sealing engagement with said casing.

An apparatus comprising a double walled casing, a cell in said casing, means to supply a liquid Within said cell, means to cool said cell, and means for maintaining a vacuum Within said cell and between the Walls of said casing.

33. The process of producing a vacuum over a liquid which consists in vaporizing the liquid and congealing the vapor.

84. An apparatus comprising a tank for a liquid, an open ended cell in communication with said tank, means for spraying liquid from said tank through one end into said cell, means for exhausting vapors from said tank and cell, and means for congealing said vapors as they are beine` exhaust-ed.

35. An apparatus comprising a cell in which liquid ma;7 be congealed,l means for spraying a liquid into said cell, and means for :removing and congealing vapors produced by ysaid spray.

36. An apparatus comprising a cell in which liquid may be congealed, means for partially vaporizing a liquid inv said cell,

cell and kto induce further vaporization from said spray.

38. The method of freezing a liquid which comprises enclosing said liquid in a chamber, preliminarily exhausting the air from said chamber, spraying the liquid into the interior of a congealing cell in said chamber, and condensing and solidifying by a reduced temperature the vapor formed by said spray to maintain a low pressure in said chamber and cell and to induce further vaporization and to hold said condensed vapor from revaporization.

39. The method of freezing a liquid which comprises enclosing said liquid in a chamber, preliminarily exhausting the air from said chamber, spraying the liquid against a cooled surface in said chamber, and condensing the vapor formed by said spray on a cooled surface to maintain a low pressure in said chamber and to induce further vaporization from said spray.

a0. The method of freezing a liquid which comprises enclosing said liquid in a chamber, preliminarily exhausting` the air from said chamber, spraying the liquid against a cooled surface in said chamber, condensing and congealing the vapor formed by said spray to maintain a low pressurein said chamber, and to induce further vaporization from said spray, and causing said congealed vapor to be introduced into said liquid to further cool the liquid.

4l. The method of freezing` a liquid Which comprises spraying the liquid in a reduced pressure, to partially vaporize it, additionally cooling the liquid sprayed to congeal a portion thereof, cooling the vaporized portion to condense it and reduce the pressure at said spray to increase vaporization thereof and introducing said condensed vapor into said liquid.

42. In a machine of the class described, a casing, an open ended cell in said casing. means for spraying liquid into the open end of said cell, means for condensing vapor from said spray, and means for cooling the Walls of said cell and said condensing means.

43. In a machine of the class described, a casing, an open ended cell in said casing, means for spraying liquid into the open end of said cell, means for condensing Vapor from said spray, means for cooling the Walls of said cell and saidv condensing means, and means for exhausting said casing.

LM. An apparatus comprising an open ended cell, a spray nozzle positioned to sprayinto said cell, and a testing rod passing through said nozzle and axially movable, its outerend being accessible to an operator for actuation and its inner end beingr projectable .into and Withdrawable from said cell.

In testimony whereof I have a-Hixed my signature.

WILLIAM STEWART. Y

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