US361596A - Gas-compressing pump for ice-machines - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

T. L. RANKIN.

GAS GOMPRESSING PUMP FOR 10E MACHINES. I No. 361,596. Patented Apr. 19, 188 7 JV' .Z'iwl. Rankin,

.Httorney Mrs STATES iAraNr Erica.

THOMAS L. RANKIN, OF QUENEMO, KANSAS.

GAS-COMPRE SSING PUMP FOR ICE-MACHINES.

YSPBCIFICATION forming part. of Letters Patent NO. 361,596, dated April 19, 18217. Application filed January 525, 1887. Serial No. 225,446. (No model.)

To aZZ ZUhOTTb it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS L. RANKIN, of Quenemo, in the county of Osageand State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in GasGompressing Pumps for Ice-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification, in which Figure 1 represents a view showing partly a side elevation and partly a vertical section of myimproved pump. Fig. 2 representsahorizontal sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 represents a transverse section taken at one end of the pump, showing two of the valve-chambers thereof.

This invention relates to certain improvements in horizontal pumps for ice-machines, being particularly designed for pumping the gaseous ammonia from the cooler and compressing the same into the condenser, or for pumping the aqua-ammonia in absorption machines.

In pumps of this class as heretofore constructed great difficulty has been experienced in properly lubricating the piston and in preventing the oil from being forced into the circuit, where it is impossible to trap and remove it, so that it often accumulates to such an extent as to clog the pipes and interfere with the operation of the machine. Moreover, in the case of the vertical pumps heretofore gener ally employed for compressing gases, difficulty has been found in locating them in many instances, on account of their height rendering them impracticable for many purposes-such as for use upon shipboard, refrigerating-cars, and in other places where rooms or chambers have low ceilings.

It is the object of my invention to obviate these objections and provide a horizontal pump that will at all times be thoroughlylubricated, that will not leak or force the oil into the circuit, and that will be compact and capable of being erected in the least possible vertical space, and can be operated with little attention, as the lubrication is automatic and permanent.

The above-mentioned objects I attain by the ,The ends of the piston are means illustrated in the accompanying drawlugs.

The letter A indicates the cylinder of the pump, which is mounted horizontally upon the vertical supports B. Midway between the ends the cylinder is enlarged, as indicated by the letter O, for the purpose hereinafter explained. This enlarged portion is open at the top and is flanged at its edges, and to said edges is bolted the flanged edge D of a stand-pipe, 1*, which is securely closed at the top in any convenient manner.

The letter G indicates the piston, which is cylindrical and hollow throughout its entire length, and turned so as to closely fit the chambers H at each end of the pump-cylinder. closed by the plates I, and are provided with the ordinary packingrings, K, which work in the chambers above mentioned. The piston has an upward opening, L, midway between its ends, for the purpose hereinafter explained.

The valve-chests M are located at each end of the cylinder, being bolted thereon. Each valve-chest is divided into two compartments by means of a partition, N, one compartment communicating by means of a pipe, 0, with the stand-pipe, and the other by means of a pipe, P, with the condenser of the machine. These chambers are subdivided, and are provided with openings into the cylinder and with valve-seats R S, having puppet-valves held normally to their seats by means of springs, the valves being arranged relatively to the seats in such manner that the valve B, when away from its seat, will open the inductionport of the cylinder, while the valve S, when away from its seat, will open the eductionport, and vice versa, in the manner familiar to skilled mechanics. To the piston at each side are secured extensions T, from which extend the piston-rods U, through the ordinary packing-boxes, V, to any suitable motor.

The letter WV indicates a pipe which leads from the expansion-chamber of theice-machine through a stuffing-box at top of the standpipe, down through the same, and into the hollow piston through the opening therein, before mentioned. The lower end of the pipe W is branched, as indicated by the letter X, the branch extending longitudinally toward each end of the piston. The said pipe \V is provided with a check-valve, Y, to prevent any possible back-pressure and injury that might result therefrom.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The central portion of the pump-cylinder and lower part of the stand-pipe are filled with oil,

which also fills the hollow piston, but does not enter the pump-cylinders ahead of the piston on account of the packing thereon. As the piston is reciprocated it draws in the gas alternately at each end, as will be readily understood, and forces it out alternately at each end at'the same time to the condenser, the exofthe oil findingits wayinto the circuit, except by -baok-pressure, incident to impaired machinery, and this is effectually guarded against by the check-valve in pipe W.

Any leakage of oil is provided against, as it will be seen that the piston-rods are packed against the back-pressure in the cylinder that is, on the exhaust side of the pistonand" therefore pressure outward is brought upon the oil to force it out.

By making the piston hollow and carrying the gaseous vapor from the cooler or expanding-chamber directly to the ends of the same, it is cooled, and the heating effect, due to the powerful compression of the gas, is counteracted, more effective work securedpand the durability of the pump materially enhanced.

By slightly changing the valves, leaving oif the standpipe, and closing the top of the part" 0, my improved pump may be employed as an aqua-ammonia pump for absorption-nnachines. In this case, however, the small pipe is carried back from the central chamber of the pump to the suction, in order to relieve the pressure in case any liquid should pass the rings and get ahead of the piston in the end chambers of the cylinders, thus preventing any high pressure upon the stuffing-boxes.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination, with ahorizontal pumpeylinder having a hollow piston and an oil-receptacle, of the stand-pipe, the pipe leading from the expanding-chamber of an ice-machine through said stand-pipe and into the hollow piston, the valve-chests provided with induction and eduction chambers and valves, and connected with the stand-pipe and condenser by means of suitable pipes, the whole being arranged to operate substantially in the manner and for the purposes-specified.

2. The combination, with the cylinder having a central enlargement forming an oil-chamber, working in said chamber, and the piston-rods U, connected to said extensions and working through packingboxes in one end ofsaid chamber, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the hollow piston, of the branch pipe within it, connected to a pipe extending from the cooling or condensing chamber of the ice-machine, whereby the piston and parts will be kept cool and the heating effects of the compression counteracted, substantially as specified.

In testimony that Ielaim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 1

THOMAS L. RANKIN.

Witnesses:

T. H. ALEXANDER, ROBERT E. Mourns.

of the hollow piston having extensions T,

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