US255660A - parker - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O.PARKER.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ICE.

No. 255,660. Patented Mar. 28,1882.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

w W/j ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS, Plumb-Lithographer. Washington. D. c.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

O. PARKER.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING IGE. No. 255,660. Pa Mar. 28,1882.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

n, Farms,- Phololilhcgnphar. Washmghm. 0:0.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

So Model.)

. 0. PARKER;

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING 10E. 7

No. 255,660. Patented Mar. 28,1882.

M SQ. m

. @ES Q INVENTOR:

ATTORNEg WITNESSES (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4. 0. PARKER.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ICE.

Patented Mar. 28, 1882.

I INFTOR:

ATTORNEYS.

, N, PETERS. PhMO-Lilhcgnphur. wzmin mn. n. cy

(No Model.) 5 Sheets- -Sheet 5.

v 0. PARKER. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ICE.

No. 255,660 Patented Mar. 28,1882.

ATTORNEYS.

n. rams. PhotuLillwgnphu. Washinglun. u, c.

" NITED STATES PATENT CE" .1m PARKER, or wAsHtNeTon, DISTRICT or COLUMBIA;

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ,IC E.

H SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,660, dated March 28, 1882.

Application filed July 30, 1881. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern Be itknown that I, ORIN PARKER, 0t Wasl ington city, District of Columbia, have in vented a new and Improved Method and Appart of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a general view, showing the position-of my apparatus at the foot of a hill, to which point a head of water is conducted from a stream at the top: Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, showing the construction and arrangement of the air-compressing and heateliminating devices. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the building in which the ice is made, the said view showing the relation 1 of the air-compressing devices, the air-refrigcrating chamber, the freezing-compartment, and the water-cooling tank, the one being placed above the other. Fig tis a perspective view, showinga modification of that part I of my invention used for refrigerating the'compressed air. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the valve controlling the discharge'of water from the compression-chambers, the view he ing taken on the section-line w x of Fig. 2.

I My invention relates to certain improvements inthe manufactureof ice upon the general plan of compressing atmospheric air, eliminating the heat thus generated, and then allowing the air' to expand in'a freezing-chainher to produce the required degree of cold, and for'this purpose it contemplates the utilization of a'hydraulic motor operated by a high head ofwater for thepurpose of compressing theair.

The invention consists principally in eom- 1 pressing the air by the direct contact, dynamic a: My'invention also force,"'and hydrostatic pressure ofthe head of running water, and sim ultaneously eliminating the heat thus generated by the same flowing current. 9 i 1 consists. in other adjuncts' to this general process, and also, further, in the novelconstructiou of the apparatus for'carry ing out my invention, aswill be here inafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims." I i l n the-drawings, Fig. 1, A represents an in; elinied conduit,1pipe, or pe'nstock leading from a watersupply at the top of a hill to my apparatus, which is placed at the foot of the hill. This apparatus consists essentially oflan' air: compressor, B, in which air is compressed by the directaction and dynamic force of the water and the heat of the compressed air simultaneously taken away. Over this is afreezing'room, O, in which the air which has been compressed and cooled is allowed to expand and freeze the pans of water, and above this T] a water cooler, D, in which the water is con: tained that is to be introduced into the freez; ing-room, and which water is preliminarily chilled by the cold currents escapingt'romtthe freezing-room. This is all the apparatus that 2. 1 use when a sufficiently high head/of water is available; but when the head islimited, but the supply greater, then I introduce between the air-compressor audthe freezing-room an air-refrigerating device for further lowering the temperature of the-air before allowingit to expand, as will be explained farther along in its proper connection.

I will first describe the construction, an 7 r'angement, and mode of operationof the air"- compressor and cooler. 1

Referring to Fig. 2, the penstocklAconnects with a valve-chamber, E,'which in its bottom has a slide-valve, F, that directs the water alternately through the branched pipes G G to the two receivers or air-compressin g chambers H H, the water passing alternately intothese two receivers and compressing the airrin. a cushion above it, and forcing it tothc pointof utilization, and the water then passing out at *T. the bottom of the receiver by the opening of a valve by a float, and filling the receiverwith a fresh charge of air drawn through aninwardly-opening valve preparatory to compressing 0 it by the next inflowof water into this receiver. This arrangement of two receivers .filledsafternately by a head of water to compress theair and emptied by the alternate 'worki'ng ofithe valves by floats has heretofore been made use 9 5 of as an aincompressor, and I do-not claim this broadly;

The valv'eF for directing the current from the penstock alternately to the two receivers I prefer to make of the sliding pattern adapt: 10o ed to cover the transverse area of one of the 5: pipes'G G and registering alternately with,

f the same. For operating this valve I form yokes or slots in the extensions of the same outside of the valve-chamber and on each side of the same, and place within the yokes triangular rising and falling cams I 1, arranged for alternate operation. The left-hand one of these cams, I, is carried by a rod, J, loosely connected with a lever, L, t'ulcrumed at K, which latter is connected to arod, M, geared to the walking-beam I, both the rods M and J being guided in tubular or other form of guides O at their lower ends. The other cam, I, on the light of valve F is carried by a corresponding rod, J, conm cted to a lever, L, fulcrumed at K, which latter is connected to arod, M, that is geared to another walking-beam, N, arranged beside the first beam, P, and upon the same axis, and these rods a so have the same guides at their lower ends. Upon the outer ends of each of these walking-beamsNand P is mounted a table, Q Q, carried by rods R R, which are loosely connected with the walking-beams, and are guided in tubular guides S S below. These tables Q Q rest respectively beneath the discharge-orifices from the two receivers H H, and their function is to receive the impact of the water there discharged for the purpose of tilting the walking-beams and operat-- ing the valves, the tables being forced down by the fall of the water upon the same to move the valves, and being raised again when the water is out by the counter-weightsT T. As the water is discharged from the bottom of the receivers the latter are filled with air auto matically through valves U U. These valves are of apeculiar form-t. 6., they arehinged at a point remote from the valve-seat and vertically above the same, so that it swings open upon .the slightest suction and uncovers the whole of the valve-seat, giving a full ingress for the air. As the air is compressed in the receivers by the direct contact and dynamic force of the water it is forced into the domes V, and passes thence down pipes W W to coils X X, which occupy a part of the space in each receiver, and thence passes out to the point where the compressed air is to be utilized. This forcing of the air through a coil immersed in the water by which it was compressed is a prominent feature of my invention,iin that it affords at the same time means for compressing the air and eliminating the heat incident to that compression, which latterit is necessary to do in order to get any useful effect from its subsequent expansion, and a meritorlous structure of my apparatus 'in this connection is that these cooling-coils are located in the same receivers where the compression is effected, thus economizing space,

rectly above a relatively smalloopening in B and both of which slide over a large dischargeorifice, (shown in dotted lines,) of one foot diameter, say, in the bottom of the drum of each receiver. A is carried by a yoke-frame, G which extends through stuffing-boxes in thewalls of the drums at the bottom of the receivers. B is also carried by a yoke-frame, D which is extended through the opposite wall of the drum in the form of a slotted arm, E The object in constructing this valve of a compound character, as described, is as follows: This valve is primarily operated by a float in the cylinder, which is raised by the water, and, as there is great hydrostatic pressure against the valve A in the bottom of the receiver, it is not possible to move the main valve by any available float. duce the work which the float has to do by putting a relatively small valve, B over the opening in valve A and this small valve l connect by a cord, a, passing around pulley d with the stem of the float, so that the float only has to uncover the opening through valve A which action starts a high-pressure stream of water through the bottom of the receiver upon table Q, which gives movement to the walking-beam and enables the latter to then open the main valve A and allow the full volume of discharge to take place. Another important function which this supplemental valve B has is to cause the discharge-valve A and inlet-valve F to make a complete and contemporaneous stroke, thus avoiding the halfopening of the one and half closing of the other, which would simply allow the water to run through the receiver and render it inoperative.

For operating the main valve two triangular cams, F G (see Fig. 2,) are arranged upon rods H 1 guided in tubes below and connected respectively with the ends of the two walkingbeams N and P. One of these cams, F bears against the yoke-frame O of the main valve (see Fig. 5) to pull it in one direction to open the valve A and the other, G acts both in the slot of the arm E of the small valve B and against the other end of the yoke C, to first draw the small valve B over the opening in valve A and then drag the valves A and B together over the large discharge-opening in the bottom of the drum, the said two cams acting thus alternately. In arranging the two valves B and A with respect to cam G the latter may act first in the slotted arm E and then drag the main valve by causing arm. E to abut against the frame as shown in Fig. 5; or cam Gr may have an independent bearing both in the arm E and against the frame 0 as shown in Fig. 2, in which case stops 0 (see Fig. 5) are used to define the movement of valve 13 over A 7 In arranging the float which opens the valve B I find that if it be placed in the receiver itself, in order to be made of suificient effective size and to have the requisite movement, it involves an air-cushion in the top of the re- I therefore receiver,which defeats the positive action of the apparatusin compressing the air, for when the water is discharged this air-cushion simply expands again instead of beingforced to the point of utilization and allowing a fresh charge to be received through valve U. To remedy this difficulty I place the float J in the dome V at the top of the receiver, (see Fig. 2,) and between the dome and the receiverI place the upwardly-opening valves ff, while the pipe W, which transfers the compressed air to the coil X, I run to the top of this dome, so as to take off the air at this point. Now, when the water rises in the receiver it forces all the air out of the receiver into the dome, and the water, following into the dome through valves f, lifts the float. water commences to be discharged from the receiver the, valves f f close and the air in the dome is not allowed to expandinto the receiv er, but a fresh charge is taken in through inletvalve U. It will be seen that in order to lift the floata quantity of water must have passed into the dome V; and as the valvesfare immediately closed this water would be trapped in the dome and prevent the float from descending again and giving the requisite slack to cord 0 to permit initial valve B to be drawn back again by cam G To obviate this objection this water in the dome is vented outwardly through a plug valve or cock, 9, connected through arm 71. and link t with the floatstem, which parts are so relatively arranged that just as the float commences to rise the cook or plug-valveg is opened, and the water which is subsequently trapped in the lower part of the dome by the closing of valvefis cxpulsively driven out by the tension .of the air-cushion above, thus allowing the float to settle to the required position for further action. This ventage of water at this point is so relatively small that it does not affect the other operations; and as the pipe 9 is always below the waterline while open, no air is allowed to escape.

The stemj of the float J is held in suitable guides, 70, to keep itin position.

In compressing air in accordance with my invention with a direct contact of water the air will be more orless laden with moisture, and when the air is cooled such moisture will condense. In order to get rid of this condensation before the air is chilled to the freezingpoint, this water'of condensation is trapped between the outlet-pipe K from the coil X and the pipe L leading to the freezing-room. For this purpose I place a leg, M at the bend between pipes K and L in which I place two plug-valves or cocks, l m, the openings of which are so relatively arranged that the top one is closed when the lower one is open, and vice versa. These valveshave arms a 0, which are loosely connected with connecting-rods p or other equivalent connection with the walking-beam. Now, when the air is being forced out of the coils X and up pipe L the upper valve, '1, is open and the lower one closed, and

Then as soon as thewaterof condensation is caught between the two valves lm. Then, when. the next movement takes place and the water is being discharged from the receivers, the top valve, 1, is closed by the walking-beam and the lower one, m, opened, allowing the trapped water to be discharged. This action being repeated at every stroke, most, if not all, of the objectionable humidity of the air is eliminated.

Of all the apparatus which I have thus described for one of the receivers a duplicate set is provided for the other, working alternately in the same manner. 1

To increase the effect of the air-compressin g devices, I introduce into the penstock A a proportion of air, which is carried into the receiv} ers with'the waterand isthere separated. For this purpose an air-nozzle, N (see Fig. 2,) is carried into the penstock and provided with an inwardly-opening valve, which permits, when a certain velocity is attained by the water in the penstock, air to be drawn in by induction, the valve serving to prevent the water from passing out at this point whenever the flow of 0 water is discontinued. By this means the useful effect of the air-compressor is ve'rymate rially increased and the air t compressed and cooled at the same time'that it is taken in. In connection with this principle of theinduction of air by afiowing head of water, Iwould state that I do not claim it broadly, asitis the well" known principle of the tromp. When, however, it is used in connection with my principle of compressing a separate body of air by the direct contact and dynamic force of water it has special value, for that body of air which is being intermittently compressed in. the receivers is limited to the capacity of the receivers. By inducing'air along with the motive head of water I not only efl'ect at each movement the compression of a volume of air equal to the capacity of that receiver; but this volmm is augmented by the .air brought in by induction, which, when once in the receiver, separates from the water and mingles with the other body of air taken in through valves U U.

I will now proceed to describe that part of,

more particularly to Fig. 3 of the drawings,

Whenever, as before stated, the head of water 7 is sufficient] y high to compress the air to a sufficient amount, the air, after it leaves the aircompressors through pipes L, is allowed to expand through a pressure-regulator directly into the freezing-room O to produce the cold to freeze the pans of water placed therein. If, however, the head of water is limited, but the quantity unlimited, as is frequently the case, I use a portion of the volume of the weakly-' compressed air to cool the other portion pre paratory to expanding itin the freezing-chamher. Just beneath the freezingroom I place a tank, M, filled with brine or other liquid not congealable at 32. In this tank and im mersed in the brine is an expansionchamber,"

N into which the pipe L from one of the aircompressors enters and opens through a pressure -regulator, 7. By the expansion of the air from pipe L into this chamber N a con- .siderable degree of cold is produced and the brine also rendered cold. About the chamber and immersed in the brine is a set of pipes, through which the compressed air from the other pipe, L of the other air-compressor is made to pass. By this means only a portion of the air compressed is made available in the freezing-room; but that quantity, being greatly reduced in temperature while in a state of compression, produces a very much lower temperature inthe freezing-room when allowed to expand therein through the pressure-regulator s.

As a modification of this feature I may arrange, in connection with each one of the pipes L leading from the air-compressor, a tank, P, as shown in Fig. 4; In this tank are a series of partitions, forming compartments, in each of which compartments is a coil of pipes, R connected together for a continuous passage through them all. Each of these coils has, however, a vent-orifice and valve, S through which a portion of the compressed air is allowed to escape about the coils, so that a part of the volume of air going into the first coil, in expanding about the coils of the lirsttcompartment, chills the coils and reduces the tem= perature of the compressed air therein, and

this compressed air of lower temperature, pass of the compressed air is utilized by expansion to cool the remaining quantity, whose effectiveness forice-makin gis thereby greatlyenhanced;

I am aware that in the Windhausen patent (Reissue No. 4,603)'a somewhatanalogous principle is made use of. In that case, however, the cold air is expanded in one chamber, (the cylinder,) and then forced mechanically by the reverse movement of the piston to circulate about the pipes through which the compressed air is flowing, and the same body of air is used over and over again. In my case a portion of the cooled'and compressed air is expanded in theimmediate presence of the remaining portion to further reduce the temperature of the latter, by which method the cold is produced just when it is needed, and the air which is thus expanded,instead of being returned through the machine, is dissipated as waste, my apparatus being adapted to such extensive and econoinic working as to permit of this waste without materially afiecting its general efficiency.

In order that I may economize temperature as far as possible, I conserve the low temperature of the waste air which escapes constantly from the freezing-room by passing it through a coil, 0 (seeFig,3,)immersedina tank above the freezing-room, in which tank is contained the water from which the pans in the freezingroomare filled, thus enabling me to more quickly reduce the temperature of the water in the freezing-room to the freezing-point.

A meritorious feature of the apparatus is that all the valves except that for ingress of air and for egress of trapped water from'dome are water-sealed when closed, and the two excepted are so sealed during a part of the time.

In carrying out my invention, also, the air may be expanded in coils in afreezing-bath in freeziug-roomlas well as in open room, and, furthermore, the compressed air may be cooled in coils outside the receiver bysame water which effected its compression.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. Themethod of making ice which consists in compressing air by the direct contact, hydrostatic pressure, and dynamic force, of running water, and simultaneously eliminatingthe heatthus generated by the said passingcurrent of water, and subsequently allowing the air to expand to effect the reduction in temperature, substantially as described.

' 2. The method of reducing the temperature of compressed air which consists in allowing a portion of said compressed air to expand in the immediate presence of the rest of the compressed air, and then be dissipated or allowed to escape as waste, substantially as described.

3. The method of compressing air in a hydraulic ice-machine which consists in introducing a quantity of air with a head of water and utilizing this head of water to displace and compress another body of air in a closed chamber, while the induced portion of air is at the same time being eliminated from the air in said chamber to augment the quantity of compressed air, as described.

4:. The method of makingice which consists in expanding a portion of compressed air to reduce the temperature of the remaining compressed air, then using this compressed air of reduced temperature by expansion in a freezing-room to freeze the Water, and utilizing the air escaping from the freezing-room to chill the water before being admitted to the pans, as described.

5. A receptacle for compressing air by displacement with water, combined with a conduit or coil for the compressed air, located within the receptacle and opening in the top of the same, whereby the heat is eliminated in the same receptacle in which it was generated, as described. Y

' 6. The combination of a receptacle for compressingair by the directdisplacementof water, a dome provided with valves opening into the same, and a float arranged in the dome and connected with the water-discharge valve of the main receptacle, as described.

7. The combination, with the dome V, the receiver H, and valves f, of the float J and rod j, and the plug-valve 9, rod 2', and arm h, as and for the purpose described.

8. The combination, with the receivers H,

of the air-inlet valve U, hinged directly above and at a point remote from its seat, as and for the purpose described.

9. The combination, with two receivers, H H, with floats and valves, and a valve, F, directing the flow alternately to the receiver, as described, of one or more walking-beams provided with tables Q to receive the impact of the discharged water and operate the valves, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with the air-eduotion pipe from the receivers, of the water-trap 00111- posed of leg M having valves 1 and m, and a connection with the walking-beam, arranged, as described, to keep one of these valves open and the other shut alternately, as described.

11. The combination, with the receiver, its float, and the walking-beam, of the compound outlet-valve, consisting of a main valve con nected to and operated by the walking-beam and a supplemental or initial valve connected with and operated by the float, as described.

a compressed-air pipe opening into an expan- 5 sion-chamloer through a pressure-valve, and another compressed-air pipe arranged in proximity to the said expansion-chamber, and then opening through a pressure 1 valve into the freezing-room, substantially as described.

ORIN PARKER. Witnesses:

CHAS. W. HANDY, SoLoN G. KEMON.

Images