US2005733A - Heat exchange apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 25, 1935. c. FIELD HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Original Filed July 14,1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l IM. .um Sx l :|LHN IIMIIII mn www l June 25,1935. C. FIELD f 2,005,733

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HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Original Filed July 14, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 255 i. l m W2 26j Z? 5g rammedv .Ime'za 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT I OFFICE HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Crosby Field, Brooklyn, N. Y., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Flakice Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application July 14, 1928, Serial No. 292,631

. Renewed January 11, 1933 96 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of manufacturingand an apparatus for manufacturing congealed fluids, and to the product produced by said method, illustrated in the following descripy tion of the structure and operation of a heat exchange apparatus of the type in which a coating of -brittle material is formed upon and subsequently removed from a deformable member through which the exchange of heat occurs for 1o causing the brittle material to form thereon. In its present employmentthe invention relates also to ice-making apparatus wherein the ice is formed upon a thin flexible sheet, such as a' cylinder, which is subsequently flexed to cause cracking and/or peeling of the ice therefrom. In my patents, Numbers 1,4 51,901 and 1,451,903 granted April 17th, 1923 there are shown certain forms of cylindrical ice-making apparatus which have proved satisfactory for their intended purposes. It is an object of the present invention to provide vimproved process and apparatus of thisv type which will be more particularly suitable for exacty ing commercial operating requirements and which is useable to produce a product. superior to that produced by the machines disclosed in said pat ents.

The nature and further objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and accompanying drawings of one illustrative embodiment of such apparatus.

In the drawings: n"

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of such a machine assembled, certain parts included in the cylinder deflecting mechanism being omitted but shown in their proper relationship in other views;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a detail shown at the right end of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is a partial plan View of the left end of the assembly;

Fig. 4 is a left end elevation, based on Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal central vertical section;

vl ig.6.is an axial section through the cylinder taken principally on the line 6 6 of Figs. 'l and 8; Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 1- 'l of Figs. 5 and 6; l Y

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 8 8 of Figs. 5 and 6;

Fig. `9 is an enlarged vertical sectionl of the bearing shown on the right of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective View of the cylinder deflecting mechanism;

Fig. 12 is another enlarged View showing in plan certain details found in the right upper corner o f Fig. 11; f

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section through the gear case found in the lower portion of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 14 is a verticalsection taken on the line |4I4 of Fig. 13.

The present apparatus in general comprises a thin flexible cylinder journaled for rotation Within a vesseliilled with enough water to cover the cylinder. By the Vterm cylinder as herein used, I refer to that connotation which defines a cylinder as generated by' a line travelling about any closed curve and constantly remaining parallel to itself, in contradistinction to that connotation which limits the cylinder to one generated by a line moving about a circle and remaining parallel to itself. Brine or any other suitable refrigerating medium is circulated through the interior of the cylinder and forced in jets against its inner surface causing ice to form very rapidly upon its outer surface. At a predetermined time the thin flexible walls of the cylinder may be deflected by suitable mechanism progressively to, alter the normal radius of curvature, which peels the ice sheet therefrom and permits a new layer to be formed directly thereon. The ice peeled from the cylinder floats to the surface of the water where it is removed.

Such apparatus avoids the necessity of freezing through a thick wall of initially formed ice as well as the necessity of employing heat for the removal of the ice when formed which are incident to the usual block freezing apparatus and thus obviously accelerates and reduces the cost of production.

As will be hereinafter described I may also operate my apparatus to permit under-flow or freezing-under, as described in my Patent No. 1,480,382, whereby the freezing is further accelerated. With this mode of operation the walls of the cylinder are preferably constantly maintained in a deflected condition.

Foundation and tank form generally t'o the shape of the cylinder to be placed therein and to avoldangular corners which wouldbe difficult to keep clean. The top horizontal edges of the sheet 26 are strengthened by longitudinal beams 28, 28. l'

Removable cylinder assembly As shown most clearly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 the end Walls 22 of the tank are cut away from their top edges and between their side edges (the top angle bars also being cut) to provide open U- shaped slots 30, 30 for the reception of bored hubs 32, 32 formed integral with the vertically extending bearing supporting plates 34, 34. The plates 34 are larger than the slots 30 so as to overlap the side and bottom edges' thereof and are secured against the interior faces of the end walls 22 by cap screws 36. Interposed between the tank end walls and the bearing supporting plates are gaskets 38 which may be in the form of rubber tubing to prevent leakage.

Referring to Fig. 5, these hubs 32 form surrounding bearings for hollow stub shafts 40, 40 attached at their inner ends as by set screws 42 to the hubs 45 of disc- shaped heads 44, 44 which close the ends of and rotatably support a cylinder' of thin flexible material generally indicated by the numeral 46. The space between eachshaft and its bearing may be sealed by packing 48 placed in an annular recess in the bearing hub and held by a flanged packing gland 58 adjustably secured to the bearing plate 34 by set screws 52.

Cylinder construction As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the cylinder, for various constructional and operating desiderata, is preferably made up of a plurality of thin edge-to-edge arranged sheets 54 of a metal hav- 'ing substantial flexibility and strength which are secured together by interior circumferential strips 56 of fabric-reinforced rubber and a longitudinal strip 58 of the same material. The .outer ends of the cylinder thus formed are provided with other fabric-reinforced rubber aprons 60 which are secured to the heads 44 `by wire strands 62 wound over the thin ends of the aprons 60 to bind them into circumferential grooves 64 formed in the heads. The strips 56 and the end aprons 60 are considerably thickened beneath the metal sheets for the dual purpose of providing heat insulation to prevent formation of ice beneath the edges of the metal sheets which would tend to separate' the metal from the rubber and of providing tracks for cylinder deecting rollers presently to be described. In manufacturing a cylinder such as described above the following steps known to the man skilled in the art may be followed. A

collapsible mandrel is provided areas of the outer surface of which are covered with forms of rubber or other suitable material coinciding with the uncovered portions of the metal panels of the finished cylinder. The space between the forms is partially filed with gum or raw rubber over which is placed a frictionedl fabric. (Under certain circumstances it is advisable to rub the frictioned fabric with a solvent such as benzol before covering it with theraw rubber.) Then a layer of the gum rubber is' placed over the frictioned fabric to fill completely the space between the forms.

The surfaces of the panels which are to be cemented to the rubber are sanded and cleaned and coated with thermo-plastic cement suoli as Vu1calock. This ycement is of'course allowed to dry and is further coated with a steamcanvas cloth is wrapped around the outside of the panels, which cloth on drying shrinks and presses the panels tightly against the mandrel and the raw rubber.

The whole assembly is then subjected to the known vulcanizing treatment wherein it is subjected to about 20 pounds ofsteam for about 20 minutes.

Cylinder driving mechanism As shown in Figs. 1 `and 5, the stub shafts 40 are equipped with sprocket wheels 66 fast thereon which are geared by sprocket chains 68 to sprocket pinions 'l0 and mounted on a jack shaft at the left and right ends respectively of the machine', the jack shaft being rotatably mounted in bearing boxes 8| fixed to the side of the tank by bolts 82.

The cylinder may be successfully driven from one end only but the provision of a drive sprocket for each end of the cylinder serves to equalize the driving torque on the cylinder and gives more satisfactory operation. Further to insure this equalization one of the sprockets-1| as shown in Figs. yl and 2-is made adjustable on the jack shaft 89. This is accomplished by mounting the sprocket 1| loosely on the shaft adjacent a xed hub 'I3 and providing the sprocket with arcuate slots "l5 which boltsll passing through holes in the hub 73 are adapted to enter to clamp the sprocket in various adjusted positions to the hub and jack shaft.

The jack shaft 8i) may be driven, as shown at the left of Fig. 1 and in Fig. 4, by a sprocket chain 83 operating upon a sprocket 84 fastI on the shaft 80 and another sprocket 86 fast on the low speed shaft 88 of a reduction gear t train housed in the casing 9D, the high speed shaft 92 of which is driven by a motor M. Both the motor and gear casing are mounted on transverse l,

flexible coupling |96, the pump also being sup- 5 ported upon the transverse beams 94 by a plate |88.

The parts thus far described are sufficient for the observation that if the cylinder is submerged in water filling the tank to some point P, indicated by a wavy line in Fig. 5, ice will be formed from the water 'upon the outer surface of the cylinder if a cold-producing medium be circulated through the interior of the cylinder. capable of rotation upon its own axis, the brine may be directed to all points along its interiorV surface by xed nozzles if desired. The mechanism for circulating brine through the cylinder will now be` described.

IBrine circulating system tending from end to end throughy the cylinder r 46 and its hollow shafts 40. This tube is held from rotation in any suitable manner as, for example (see the left side of Fig. 5 and Fig. 4)

yby a yoke I2 embracing and attached to a torque And further, Vthat since the Cylinder is 6 collar yI I4, at its upper bifurcated end and at- 75 6,005,733 1 i e N3 tached to al `xed part, for example' one of the channels 96` supporting the gear casing`90, at its lower end by a bolt |20. The collar ||4 may be secured to the tube by set screws I I6.

Provision is made for preventing leakage along the tube I I0 both between the tube and the stub shafts 40 of the cylinder and between the tube and the interior of the hubs 45 of the cylinder heads 44. l tube have counter-parts at the other end, only one end need be described. y

Referring to the right end of Fig. 5 and to Fig. 9, the tube ||0 is reduced within the holl low shaft 40 'and the latter is provided with an internal annular rib |22 against which packing |24 is pressed by a gland |26 screwed into `the outer end of the shaft. Fitted between the flange of the gland |26 and the end of the shaft 40 are shims |28-to furnish firm axial coordination between them since the flange has a further function in a thrust bearing assembly. In Amaking adjustments ,on the packing, if a shim is removed from one side of the flange a shim of the same thickness is inserted on the other side to keep the bearing assembly in proper-` position.

The tube is further surrounded by a bearing bushing |30, preferably of lignum vitae, set into an annular recess'in the outer end of the packing gland |26. The bushing |30v is held by a washer |32 disposed on one side of a ball thrust bearing |34, the bearing at its other side acting through a similar washer |32 against a thrust collar |36 (at the left end, torque collar ||4 already described serving the same purpose) rigidly secured to the tube.

Returning to Fig. 5, within the hub 45 the tube ||0 is provided with a bushing |38 of noncorrodible material, for example nickel, and the hub carries a lignum vitae bearing bushing |40 closely ttingthe nickel bushingand held to the hub by set screws or equivalent means.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 and the left ends of Figs. A1 and 5, cold brine is forced into thi tube ||0 by the pump |04 having an intake pip |42 and a discharge pipe |44. The discharge pipe,` |44 extends upwardly from the pump and is bent at its upper end to connect with a ilexible coupling |46, which, in turn, connects with an elbow |48 attached to the upper end of an enlarged stand-pipe |50. The 4stand-pipe includes and is supported by a T-coupling |52 threaded upon the open end of the tube ||0. Brine flowing into the stand-pipe enters a concentric strainer |54 (Fig. 5) and flows through it into the surrounding annular space and thence into the tube ||0.

The lower end of the stand-"pipe is closed by a cap |56 provided with a quick-throw dump valve |58 having a handle` |60 for discharging collected sediment. If desired the portion of the stand-pipe below the T-coupling may include a transparent glass cylinder |62 for visual determination'of the amount of sediment collected. The glass cylinder may beheld between the T-coupling and the cap |56 by clamp bolts |64 which serve also to protect the glass against breakage.

It is desirable to maintain a sufficient brine pressure within the cylinder 46 so that it cannot be collapsed by the hydro-static pressure of the water normally contained in tank 26. Normally when the machine lis in operation and the pump isworking suflcient pressure is maintained within' the cylinder but since the pump preferably Since the parts at one end of the pump is not working. This back-flo'w would.

create a siphon to draw brine from the cylinder if no means were provided to permit air to flow into the upper part of the brine supply line including the elbow |48, the flexible coupling |46 and the upper portion of the pipe |44. For the purpose of preventing formationof such a siphon the stand-pipe |50 near its upper end is provided with a short pipe |66.equipped with an inwardly opening check valve generally indicated by the numeral |68. The check valve is designed to open and permit the inflow .of air whenever the pressure within the stand-pipe |50 becomes less than atmospheric. withdrawn from the cylinder 46 to a level lower y15 Thus the brine cannot be than the pipe |66 if the discharge stand-pipe f at the other end of the machine to be described hereinafter is as high as the pipe |66.

It is evident from the foregoing description that stationary tube ||0 extending co-axially through the working cylinder constitutes the meansdfor the feed and discharge of brine therefrom; that this tube is carefully sealed from surrounding parts both to prevent leakage and to prevent formation `of ice at undesired points;

'that brine is supplied to the left end of the tube through4V a strainer by a pump operated by the motor througha flexible shaft; and that-the pipe |66 equipped with valve |68 prevents the siphoning of brine from the cylinder. Overflow from the upper end of the discharge stand-pipe presently to be' described prevents the building up of excess pressure within the cylinder. An explanation will now be given of the manner in which brine from the central tube is sprayed against the interior surface ofthe rotating cylinder and the spent brine removed from the cylinder.

At the left central portion of Fig. 5 and in Fig. 7 the tube ||0 is seen to be provided with four circumferentially spaced threaded holes for the reception of four nipples |10'and the tube is closed immediately beyond these holes by a plug |12 which is formed with end-opening recesses |14 positioned beneath the holes in the tube for dividing the incoming supply of brine into four equal streams flowing through the nipples |10 to four circumferentially spaced points within the cylinder.

Each tube nipple |10 is connected by a flexible heat insulating sleeve |16 with a trough nipple |18 formed integral with or rigidly secured 'to the bottom of a metal trough closed at its'ends and` extending longitudinally along thegreater part of the length of the cylinder. Y

Opposite the end of the nipple |18 is secured a baille plate |82 for deflecting along the trough the brine flowing from the nipple.

Closing the outerv open side of the trough |80 is a foraminous metal plate |84, the greater porto in case for lapse.

Dcsirably each trough may be partially covered by a heat insulating back |86 attached to the curved outer edges of the plate |84. This back may be formed of felt if suitably strengthened as by a wire screen of non-corrodible material. The entire spray trough assembly is supported in peripheral notches |88 of spaced spiders |90, |90, fastened upon thetube `|||J by set screws |92 passing through their hubs |94, the spiders being provided with a plurality of apertures |96 for the free circulation of spent brine through the cylinder. v

Spent brine escapes from the cylinder into the right hand end of the tube by way of discharge openings |98 formed therein and flows from the end of the tube into a discharge standpipe 288, the latter emptying into any suitable disposal system, for example, a recooling system (not shown) supplying the intake pipe |42 of the brine pump |04, care being taken that undue back pressure will not be created in the stand-pipe and that a siphon will not be formed which might drain all of the brine from the cylinder.

Mechanism for deflectz'ng the cylinder to peel ice A therefrom v any reason the cylinder should col- It is clear from the foregoing description that on the metal sheets of the cylinder. This ice formation clings to the cylinder with great tenacity so long as the cylinder retains its normal shape but is readily removed in sheets or flakes which float to the surface of the water in the tank if the cylinder is deflected suihciently from its normal shape. Means is herein provided for producing a substantially uniform deflection of the cylinder across its entire width and this means is so designed that the deflection may occur in timed relationship with the operation of the cylinder for producing iceilakes of predetermined thickness, it being understood that the `deflection of the cylinder break the ice and free it completely from the cylinder or so as merely [to cause local separation between the ice and the cylinder so as to permit under-flow or under-freezing as disclosed in my Patent No. 1,480,382, granted January 8, 1924.

As described in the above-mentioned patent, under-flow or under-freezing refers to the method of freezing ice which consists in separating an ice sheet or strip formed on a freezing surface from the freezing surface and allowing liquid being frozen to enter into the space between the sheet and freezing surface so that immediate transfer of heat from the liquid through the surface takes place, congealing the liquid and freezing the sheet to the surface. In this way, an ice layer or sheet is built up on the freezing surface. As I pointed out in my patent No. 1,480,332, I prefer to accomplish this freezing on a surface which is maintained constantly deflected and accordingly in the present embodiment when the machine is operated to permit under-flow or under-freezing, I prefer to control the deflection of the cylinder in such a way as to maintain it in a state of cen-vr stant deflection.

This mode of operating my apparatus to cause under-flow or under-freezing will bc described in greater detail hereinafter. A

Alternatively the deflecting means may be controlled by hand for producing flakes of any thickmay be so controlled as toness desired by the operator. This deflecting mechanisn. in its illustrated embodiment will now be described.

In Figs. 6 and 8 the deflecting means or Ways are shown as a plurality of rollers 206 loosely mounted upon the shafts 208 and held in the required axial position thereon by flxed rings 2|0 on the ends of the shafts, washers 2|2 between the roller hubs and supporting sleeves 2 |4 carrying the shafts. There are (Fig. 8) four such shafts 268 and four sets of rollers.

The rollers of each set are formed with flanges 2 6 normally spaced slightly from but adapted at certain times'to operate upon the thickened portion of the cylinder joint strips 6 and end aprons 68. The rollers are designed to have radial movement for pressing the cylinder outwardly across its entire width along four circumferentially spaced lines thus changing it from acylinder to an approximately quadrilateral figure having four principal surfaces (between rollers) having a supernormal radius of curvature joined by four smaller surfaces (over the rollers) having a `subnormal radius of curvature.

From the above it is clear that the rollers or ways 286 are capable of deilecting the cylinder uniformly across its entire width. In this connection the aprons 68 which are employed for v driving and supporting the cylinder 46 by 'means of the heads 44 co-operate with the deflecting rollers or Ways 206 deflected uniformly across its entire width, by permitting radial movement between the cylinder panels 56- and the heads 44.

For producing 'this radial movement of the rollers the shaft-carrying sleeves 2| 4 are formed integral with slides 2|8 voperating upon radial guide rods 220 affixed at their inner ends to the hubs |94 of the spiders |98 previously described. The slides 2 I8 are spread or retracted by links 222 pivoted thereto at their outer ends and pivoted to arbors 224 at their inner ends. The arbors 224 are positioned within the tube 0 and have axial movement which is translated by" the links 222 into rradial movement of the slides, the action being analogous to the opening and closing of an umbrella. It is necessary, therefore, to provide longitudinal slots 226 in the tube I0 for passage and movement of the links 222. The 'links may be initially adjusted as to length by provision of an externally threaded stem portion 222a entering an enlarged, internally threaded socket por-` tion 22227. This adjustment provides one of the means by which it is possible to control or vary the amount of deflection of the cylinder fWall caused by the rollers 266 for purposes to be described hereinafter.

Within the tube ||0 the axially slidable arbors 224 (Fig. 6) are fixed upon a reciprocatory deflector rod 22B guided for longitudinalA movement within tube ||0 by the plug |12, previously mentioned, and guided at the left end by a stufIng box 230 (Figure 5) formed on the outer side of the T-coupling |52 into which the left end of tube ||0 is threaded. The stufling box 23|)v is4 to permit the cylinder to be 236 each taking into the end.

end of the split lever 238 is pivoted to the left` end of an axially 4reciprocable bar 246 supported intermediate its ends between rock arms 248 pivoted upon the tube I I8 by` set screws 258. If the bar 246 is moved to the right it will move thel deflector rod 228 to the left to move the rollers 286 radially outward and if the bar is moved to the left it will move the rod 228 to the right to move the rollersradially inward.

This connection between the bar' 246 and the deflecting rod 228, affords a second adjustment for controlling or determining the amount of deflection of the cylinder wall caused by the rollers 286.

As herein illustrated cams and associated mechanisms are employed for imparting properlyr timed endwise movements to the bar 246 and the deflector rod 228. The cams are shown in Figs. 3, 5

and 11 to comprise a retracting cam 252 attached On the other hand, the deflector mechanismA when distended tends to return to retracted position due to the resiliency of the cylinder; hence the distending cam 254 (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) is formed with an axially inclined ramp 254a which extends over about one revolution and which flattens out at its high point into a level annulus 25412 set back below the bottom wall of the ramp. A follower if urged toward the axis of rotation of the cam will ride up the inclined ramp, being moved axially to the right by this action, and upon reaching its apex will move inwardly upon the flat annulus a'nd thereafter rides upon the flat annulus until released.

The parts for operatively connecting the shaft cams 252, 254 to the bar 246 are as follows. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the reciprocatory bar 246 is provided with spaced transversely moving cam followers 256, 258 operating in guides 268v fixed to the bar.246, each follower carrying a loose cam roller 262 and the one-256-cooperating with the retracting cam 252 while the other, 258 cooperates with the distending cam 254. The followers 256, 258 are provided With slots 264 receiving the rounded ends of a rocking lever 266 pivoted centrally upon a clip 261 attached to the bar 246, the lever in turn being keyed to and oscillated by a rock shaft 268 associated with suitable timing mechanism.

When the shaft 268 is turned in one direction it causes one of the followers 256 or 258 to be pressed toward its associated cam and when turned in the other direction it withdraws the one follower and causes the other to be pressed toward its associated cam, engagement ofthe f cam followers with their cams causing the bar 246 to be reciprocated either to the right or to In Fig. 11 the rock shaft 268 is seen to be op- Y eratively connected to a lower rock shaft 218 through a torque spring 212` provided with a cuff :sa and with a casteuated coupling 21sA at its lower end meshing with asimilar castellated coupling 218 adjustably xed to the shaft 218 byk a set screw 288. 'I'he coupling 218 may either be moved up and attached to the shaft A218 so as to mesh with coupling 216, as shown in the several views for power operation of the shaft 268 and the cam followers, or it may be moved down the shaft out f of mesh with the coupling 216 for manual operationof the shaft 268`and the cam followers. 'A handle 282 is provided on the coupling 216 for manual operation.

From the foregoing it is clear that .when ther coupling 218 is moved down and out of mesh with the coupling 216, the rollers 286 may be set for permanent deflection of the cylinder walls in the following manner: While the cylinder 46 and the stub shaft 48 are rotating, the handle 282 connected through the torque spring 212 to the lock shaft 268 is moved counterclockwise, thereby forcing the cam follower 2,58 into the path of the distending cam 254. With this operation the cam follower 258 rides ups` the axially inclined ramp of the distending cam for one revolution of the stub shaft 48 until it reaches the end of theramp 254 whereupon continued counterclockwise pressure on the handle 282 forces the cam follower 258 onto the flattened level annulus or cam 2541i. The handle 282 is now released, leaving the cam follower 258 in its forward position and in contact with the annulus 2541). Itis thus clear that the lever 246 has been moved to the right with this operation (Figure 1) and is held permanently at its right hand position by the cam and cam follower and that the deflector rod 228 has been moved to its left hand position, thereby forcing the deflecting rollers 286 into their defiecting position to cause a constant state` of deflection of the cylinder wall as it rotates. As hereinbefore pointed out, when theapparatus of the present embodiment is operated to `permit under-flow or under-freezing, it is preferable to maintain the cylinder walls under con-- stant deflection. As pointed out in my patent, No. 1,480,382, the deflection of the walls ispref` erably obtained by adjusting the deflecting rollers (in the present embodiment, rollers 286) so that they exert the desired pressure against the cylinder wall at diametrically opposite points to obtain the desired constant deflection thereof. In the present embodiment this desired pressure is obtained by following the same procedure, i. e.,

frozen, and the refrigerating agent iscirculated' through the cylinder, each unit portion of the wall is exed from its normal confirmation four times during a complete revolution of the cylinder.

As described'in my patent, No. 1,480,382, with this deflection, it will be understood that a limited section of the cylinder wall, as ,it approaches each ofl the pressure rollers or ways 286, is deflected and separates from the inner face of the ice layer, thereby providing a space between the ice layer and the wall extending across thejentire Width of each panel of the cylinder and open lat its opposite ends so that water in the tank may enter between the Vice film and the flexible cylinder wall. 'Ihus there is continuous contact of the water directly with the wan of the cylinder adjacent each roller and consequently an immediate transfer of heat from the Water entering. the space. As the cylinder continues to rotate at least a part of this water is converted into'ice crystals which are added to the ice layer on its inner face, and which bind the separated ice layer to the cylinder Wall.

As this'limi'ted section now passes over the next successive roller, the under-freezing process is repeated; and so on at the successive rollers until the ice Asheet forming on the wall becomes so inflexible as compared with the degree of deflection of the cylinder wall that the sepavration between the ice sheet and the cylinder wall becomes too great to permit the under-flow `,or under-freezing, and the ice sheet peels from and is projected from the panels of the cylin- ,-f der in successive elongated symmetrical sheets 2O summarizing this mode of operation in anor strips.

other way, I position the ways 206 to cause the cylinder Wall 48 to travel about a predetermined path, the path being such that as the cylinder wall passes over a portion thereof, congealing `of the liquid on the cylinder wall takes place Without a complete separation therefrom. However, over the remaining portion of the path, the cylinder Wall is so deflected that the ice peels therefrom in sheets.

When the apparatus of the present invention is operated to permit under-flow or under-freezing, according to the manner described in my patent, No. 1,480,382, new and useful results are obtained not obtainable with the apparatus shown therein. For example, with the present apparatus in which each panel or sheet 54 of the cylinder 46 is deflected uniformly across its entire width by the deflecting rollers 206, the sheets or strips of ice formed on the respective panels 56 are separated and peeled from the panels without any breakage along the longitudinal axis of the sheets. Further, by constructing the cylinder 46 to provide parallel peripheral insulating areas between the panels 56, the sheets of iceformed on the panels have parallel edges. Thus, the successive ice sheets peeled from the panels, when the cylinder is operating under freezing-under conditions, are substantially symmetrical with respect to cach other and have at least two parallel edges.

However, the Acylinder construction and the -deflecting mechanism as disclosed in my patent, "Noi 1,480,382, -notdeflected uniformly across its width. The

is such that the cylinder wall is deflecting mechanism causes the cylinder wall to be deflected more in theY central portion thereof lthanin the side or end portions thereof, thereby causing a bulge in the central portion. Consequently, when the apparatus described in my afore-mentioned patent is operated to permit freezing-under the ice sheet formed on the cylinder is materially fragmented along its central and other portions, and the ice does not come off the cylindrical wall in the form of successive symmetrical elongated sheets, but 'in the vform of irregular fragments varying not only in surface area but in thickness due tothe fact that the non-uniform flexing of the cylinder sometimes causes incomplete freeing of the ice leaving some portions on ,the cylinder.

Under certain other conditions of operation,

'I may prefer to form an ice layer on the 'cylin` der while the cylinder wall is not deflected and then subsequently change the path of the cylinder to deflect the walls sufllciently to cause the ice sheet formed thereon to crack and peel from the cylinder. For this purpose the afore-mentioned timer mechanism is employed which comprises, as shown in-Figs. 11, 13 and 14, a cam disc 284 rotatably mounted within a casing 286 (attached to gear casing 90) and constantly driven by a Worm 288 onfthe outer end of the low speed shaft 88, previously mentioned. This shaft with its worm exposed is also vshown in Figs. '1 and 5. The shaft 210 is provided with a spherical enlargement 2'II operating in a similarly shaped bearing in the casing 286 and at its lower end carries an arm 290 supplied with a cam stud 292 operating in a cam groove 285 formed in the upper face of the disc 284. The cam groove includes a relatively long inner retracting portion 285a and a relatively short outer distending portion 2852 K By the construction just described it is ap'- parent that the retracting cam follower 256 is pressed against itsassociated retracting cam 252 and the bar 246 is held toward the left for a relativelylong period of time while the camstud 292 is riding within the long retracting portion 285a of the cam groove 285 and that the distending cam follower 258 is periodically pressed against its associated distending cam 254 and the bar 246 is held toward the right for a relatively rshort period of time while the cam stud 292 is riding within the short distending portion 2851) of the cam groove 285; that the torque spring 212 and the universal bearing provided for the lower shaft 210 maintain an operative connectiony between the parts in all positions of the bar 246; and vfurther that the mechanical timing mechanism may be completely disconnected and the action of the deflecting mechanism timed by hand.

heads of cylinder In the operation of the machine there is a tendency for ice to form on the outer faces of the cylinder heads 44 and this ice might eventually build up until it filled the spaces between the rotary heads and adjacent stationary parts. Further, there is a tendency lfor ice to form upon the end aprons 60 of the cylinder where they are attached to the heads 44 on account of the small amount of flexing imparted to the aprons adjacent these fixed lines of attachment. Formation of ice over the aprons would still further decrease their permissible flexing and impair the efficiency of the machine. Means is herein provided for avoiding these difficulties so as to keep the machine in proper operating condition for any length of time it may be used.

In` Figs. 5 and 6 each cylinder head 44 is seen to be equipped on its inner face and beneath the end apron 60 with a plurality of discs 294 of heat insulating material such as sponge rubber, beveled on their outer edges to form a flexible seal with the apron in all of its movements. The discs may be held in position by a metal shield 296 and Screws 298 entering threaded holes in the head.

There is also a slight tendency in spite of the insulatingdiscs 294 and further hub cuffs 295 for vcold to travel along the hub '45 of the cylinder Scrapers 304 and 306 facing the end of the rotat-` tion of the cylinder head-is serrated to cut annular grooves in the ice while the trailing scraper 306 has a straight edge to shave on the ridges left between grooves. By operating in this manner it has been found that the ice formation can be removed with much less expenditure of power than if either serrated or straight Scrapers alone were used.

Air vent for cylinder Due to the constant presence of air in most bodies lof fluid there is a likelihood of the top of the closed cylinder becoming the collection point for a body of air which would prevent brine from contacting the entire interior surface of the cylinder and hence reduce the vefficiency of the machine. To forestall this (Figs.5 and 8') a flexiblev air vent tube 308 is provided and has an opening near the upper inner surface of the cylinder where air would collect for conducting itr out of the cylinder in any suitable way.

Asshown, the tube 306 embraces the end of a nipple 3I0 screwed into the deflector rod 228 and operating within a slot 3II in the tube III). The rod 228 is formed with a small bore 3I2 for conducting the air to the left end of the rod Where it may be withdrawn by a hand cock Y3I4, clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

I ce collection Ice removed from the cylinder and floating to the surface of the water in the tank may be removed in any approved manner. 'Ilhe mechanism herein provided for this purpose is shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, and comprises spaced endless flexible members such as conveyor chains 320 carrying blades 322 and passing obliquely from sprockets 324 on a lower shaft 326 to sprockets 328 on an upper shaft 330. The blades 322 beneath the Alower shaft dip below the surface of the water and gather ice ahead of them pushing it up an inclined drainage ramp 332 over'the upper edge of the tank and pass it to a discharge chute 334.

The ice peeling from the cylinder 46 may be` broken into fragments by the blades 322 and/or by falling from the chute 334 to a storage bin or other receptacle for the ice flakes. The ice 'flakes formed by the breaking of the successively formed' symmetrical sheets when under-flow freezing is employed, as hereinbefore described, break into curved fragments which have a greater uniformity in size and shape than fragments formed from non-symmetrical sheets, and hence are better adapted to various commercial purposes than the less nearly uniform fragments resulting from Water regulation.

Since the body of water in the tank is constantly being used up in the formation of ice which is removed it is necessary to replenish the supply and it is desirable that the additional water be added gradually and constantly so that the water level in the tank may remain substantially the same at all times.

As shown particularly in Fig. water is supplied at the top of the tank by an inlet pipe 344 controlled bya float controlled valve 346, a well the tank a drain cock 350 is adapted to remove yall the water from the tank when desired.

'Ihe operation of the machine willbe apparent from the foregoing description without further amplication. The machine in operation makes ice much more rapidly and eiliciently than is pos- I sible with the usual types of ice making machines. Further the machine may be operated for long periods of time without breakage or without stoppage for any reason. Ice can be macle by the machine in suitable form for immediate yufse avoiding the usual waste of time and ice entailed in shaving or cracking smaller pieces from a large block.

While one specific embodiment of the invention has been described with particularity it is to be understood that .the invention -is not meantto be limited thereby but may have numerous other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water, a'Y flexible cylinder rotatably mounted in the tank beneath the surface of the water, a stationary axial tube and a longitudinal spray trough providing means to force a jet of cold brine against the interior surface'of the cylinder, and means for deflecting the cylinderv to peel ice therefrom including a plurality of rollers movable between a retracted position and a distended deflecting position, an axial dellector, rod for operating said rollers, and mechanism timed with the operation of said cylinder for actuating said able guide members, expansion links connected to said slidable members, Aand an axially movable rod connected to the inner ends of said links.

3. Apparatus of the character described, comprising in combination, a rotary cylinder of thin flexible material, and deflecting means for "said cylinder, including rollers disposed adjacent the inner surface of said cylinder, and means for distending and retracting said rollers in timed relationship to the rotation of the cylinder.

4. Apparatus of the character described, comprising in combination', a rotary cylinder of thin flexible material, deflecting means for said cylinder operable between a rst position in which no deflection of the cylinder is produced and a second position in which the cylinder is deflected from its normal configuration, and means conmove it from the rst to the second position after Lla",

revolutions.

5. Apparatus ofthecharacter described, comprising in combination, a rotary cylinder of thin 70 imizing freezing through said heads and the circumferentially 8 f flexible material, deflecting means for said cylinder operable between a first position in which no deflection of the cylinder is produced and a second position in which the cylinder is deflected from its normal configuration, and means for controlling the operation of said deflecting means. l6. Apparatus of the character described, comprising in combination, a rotary cylinder of thin flexible material and deflecting means for said cylinder operable between a first position in which no deflection of the cylinder is produced and a second position in which the cylin-der is deflected from its normal configuration for the purpose set forth.' l

7. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a flexible cylinder adapted to be deformed to loosen ice formed on the outer surface thereof and spray means within said cylinder acting to project a refrigerant on the inner surface thereof, said cylinder and spray means having relative movement to provide contact by the spray with the entire circumference of the cylinder without interference with the deformation thereof.

8. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a flexible heat transfer cylinder adapted to be deformed to loosen ice formed on the outer surface thereof and a longitudinal spray trough Within said cylinder acting to proj ect a refrigerant on the inner surface thereof, said cylinder and spray trough having relativemovement to provide contact by the spray with the entire interior surface of the cylinder without interference with the deformation thereof.

9. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a thin flexible heat transfer cylinder, adapted to be deformed to loos-en ice formed on the outer surface thereof and a plurality of longitudinal spray troughs Within said cylinderacting to project a refrigerant on the inner surface thereof, said cylinder and spray troughs having relative movement to provide contact by the spray with the entire interior surface of the cylinder without interference with the deformation thereof.

10. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a thin flexible heat transfer cylinder and aplurality of approximately rigid longitudinal spray plates arranged about the axis of the cylinder and closely adjacent the interior surface of said cylinder for jetting a spray of refrigerant thereupon and for supporting the cylinder ln levent of its collapse.

11. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a thin flexible heat transfer cylinder and means for supporting the cylinder in event of its collapse, said means comprising a plurality of spaced longitudinal spray plates and similarly disposed deflecting rollers arranged alternately.

1'2. Apparatus of the character described comprising, a, heat transfer cylinder, a spray trough for jetting cold brine directly against the interior surface of the cylinder, a conduit for conducting cold brine into the spray trough, and insulation upon said trough and conduit for keeping them from contact with spent brine within the cylinder.

13. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a freezing cylinder of thin flexible material, heads for said cylinder, and means for minhead-attached ends of the cylinder comprising a plurality of flexible-edge insulatingA discs interiorly attached to the'heads and closely fitting within the cylinder.

14. Apparatus ofthe character described, comprising a freezing cylinder provided with rotary heads and means for scraping accumulating ice from the outer surfaces of the heads, said means comprising a serrated scraping blade and an associated smooth scraping blade.

15. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotary freezing cylinder, means for circulating a refrigerant fluid through said cylinder, and means near the top of the cylinder for venting entrapped gases from the interior of said cylinder for the purpose specified.

16. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a rotary freezing cylinder, means for circulating a refrigerant fluid through said cylinder, and means for venting entrapped gases from the interior of the cylinder near the top thereof for the purpose specified, said means comprising a flexible tube opening below the crown of said cylinder and a hollow rod connected to said tube extending to the exterior of said cylinder along its axis.

17. Apparatus of the character described comprising a flexible heat 'exchange cylinder immersed in a body of Water and means for circulating a refrgerating fluid through the cylinder including a stand pipe for maintaining a hydrostatic head on the interior of the cylinder.

18. Apparatus of the character described comprising a flexible' heat exchange cylinder immersedfin a body of water and means for circulatng a refrigerating fluid through the cylinder including a stand pipe for maintaining a hydrostatic head on the interior of the cylinder, and a drain pipe for said stand pipe for preventing formation of a Siphon capable of draining fluid from the cylinder.

19. Apparatus of the character described, com prising a thin flexible cylinder formed of a plurality of metal sheets joined byrubber strips.

20. Apparatus of the character described, conlyprising a thin flexible cylinder, heads for said cylinder, andl flexible aprons of heat insulating material for connecting said cylinder to said heads.

21. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a thin flexible cylinder formed of a plurality of metal sheets joined circumferentially and axially by heat insulating strips.-

22. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a thin flexible cylinder formed of a plurality of metal sheets joined by circumferentially disposed rubber strips, deflecting rollers disposed within said l cylinder and thickened portions formed on said strips adapted to serve as Atracks for said deilecting rollers.

23. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a thin flexible cylinder, stub shafts connected with the opposite ends of said cylinder, means to drive bothof said shafts together, and adjusting means for equalizing the drive upon the two shafts.

24. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a thin flexible cylinder, stub shafts connected with the opposite ends of said cylinder, means to drive both of said shafts together, and adjusting means for equalizing the drive upon the twol shafts, said means including a jack shaft geared to both of said shafts and a circumferentially adjustable driving member on said jack shaft.

25. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a flexible cylinder and deflecting means for said cylinder including a deflector rod, constantly operating means capable of actuating said rod, and means for periodically connecting said rod with said actuating means.

26. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a flexible cylinder and deflecting means for said cylinder including a deector rod, constantly rotating cams adapted to operate said rod selectively in Aeither deflecting orretracting 'direction, and means for placing said rod under the influence' of said cams, said'means including cam followers selectively slidable toward and from the cams and means for operating said cam followers.

2'?. Apparatus of the character described, coniprising a flexible cylinder and deectlng means for said cylinder including a deilector rod, constantly rotating cams adapted to cierate 'said rod selectively in either deflecting or retracting direc'- tion, and means for placing said rod under the influence of said cams, said means including cam` followers selectively slidable toward and from the cams and means for operating said cam followers, said last mentioned means including a constantly rotating cam.

28. Apparatus of the character described, com- 'prlsing a flexible cylinder and deecting means for said cylinder including a deector rod, constantly rotating cams adapted to operate said rod selectively in either deflecting or retracting direction, and means for placing said rod under the influence of said cams, said means -including cam followers selectively slidable toward and from the cams and means for operating said cam followers, said last mentioned means including a constantly rotating cam and a flexible connector between last mentioned cam and said cam followers.

29. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a flexible receptacle having the walls thereof formed of a plurality of sections arranged substantially edge to edge with the opposing edges of adjoining sections flexibly connected.

30. Apparatus of the character described comprising a deformable cylinder, and spray means within said cylinder, the cylinder and spray means having relative movement to provide contact ofA the spray with the entire circumference of the cylinder and the spray means being constructed and arranged to permit deformation of the cylinder without interference.

31. Apparatus of the character described comprising a iiexible cylinder, means for flexing said cylinder, and submerged jets for directing a refrigerant against the inner surfaceof said cylinder, said cylinder and submerged jets having relative movement to provide contact by the jets of refrigerant with substantially the'entire circumference of the cylinder.

32. The method of solidifying a fluid which consists in projecting a refrigerant in submerged jets upon one face of a flexible heat exchange diaphragm while maintaining the opposite face of ysaid diaphragm exposed to the uid to be solidified and subsequently flexing the, diaphragm to remove the solidified fluid therefrom.

33. The method of freezing ice which'consists in submerging in a liquid a receptacle having a deformable heat exchange wall, directing a refrigerant by submerged jets upon the inside face of said wall to cause ice to be formed on the outer face thereof and causing the wall to be flexed to discharge the ice therefrom.

34. The method of freezing ice which consists in partially submerging a exible receptacle in the liquid to be frozen, projecting a refrigerant by submerged jets upon the inner face of a portion of the wall of the receptacle in contact with said liquid until a coating of frozen liquid of suillcient thickness is formed on the outer face thereof and deforming the coated wall to cause the frozen liquid to become detached therefrom.

35. 'Ihe method of freezing ice which consists in forming a layer of ice on a thin flexible heat exchange wall of a receptacle partially submerged in the liquid to be frozen by spraying a refrigerant upon the inside face of said wall while protecting other portions of the receptacle Walls from contact with said refrigerant and exing said wall to cause theformed ice to be disengaged therefrom.

36. The method of depositing a solid from a duid which consists in projecting a heat exchange medium lupon one facel of a heat exchange diaphragm, vand applying said uid to the opposite face of said diaphragm, and subsequently automatically flexing the diaphragm at predetermined intervals to remove the product therefrom.

37. The method of depositing a solid from a fluid which comprises rotating a flexible cylindrical surface, projecting a fluid heat exchange mediumby submerged jets against one side of said cylinder, and applying said fluid to the other side of said cylinder and subsequently exing the cylinder from its normal configuration to loosen the solidi'ed v product therefrom.

38. En apparatus of the class described, in combination, a rotary cylinder formed from a flexible material which is a goed heat conductor, deflecting means for said cylinder disposed adjacent the surfaces of said cylinder, and means for moving said deilecting means to deiiect said cylinder in timed relationship to the rotation of the cylinder.

39. in apparatus of the class described, in combination, a rotary cylinder of iiexiblematerial having a high coefficient of heat transfer, defiecting means for said cylinder operable between a first position where substantially no deflection of the cylinder is produced, a second position in which the cylinder is deected from its normal configuration, and means controlling the action of said deflecting means operable in timed relationship to the rotation of the cylinder.

- 40. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a flexible cylinder adapted to be deformed to loosen a solid deposited on the sur- `face thereof, means for projecting a heat exchange fluid. onto a surface of said cylinder to provide a rapid ow of said uid over said surface whereby a yhigher degree of heat transfer is obtained, and said cylinder and said projecting means having relative movement therebetween, to apply said rapidly moving film over the entire circumference of the cylinder.

iL-In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a exible heat transfer cylinder, a plurality of longitudinal spray members arranged about the axis of the cylinder closely adjacent the interior surface of said cylinder, said spray members being adapted to project a refrigerant upon said surfaces, and means for supporting said spray members, whereby said spray members may support said cylinder in the event of the collapse of said cylinder.

42. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a rotatable cylinder formed from a flexible material, heads for said cylinder, means for reducing the effective heat transfer coeilicient. of said heads, and said means comprising a plurality of flexible insulating disks attached to the heads.

43. In apparatus of the class described, in

combination, a rotary heat transfer cylinder, means for circulating a heat exchange fluid through said cylinder, and means near the top of said cylinder for venting entrapped gases from the interior of said cylinder for the purpose specifled.

44. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a rotatable cylinder formed from a flexible material having a high coemcient of heat transfer, said cylinder being immersed in a liquid, means for circulating a refrigerant fluid through the cylinder, said means including a pressure regulating means for maintaining a predetermined hydrostatic head on the interior of the cylinder, and additional means for preventing siphoning of said refrigerating fluid from said cylinder.

45. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a cylinder formed from a flexible material having a high coefilcient of heat transfer, and said cylinder being formed from a plurality of metal strips joined by flexible non-metallic strips.

46. In apparatus of the class described, in combinationVa cylinder formed from a exible material having a high coeillcient of heat transfer, said cylinder being formed from a plurality of metal strips circumferentially joined by nonmetallic strips, deflecting means disposed within said cylinder, and means also on said cylinder adapted to serve as tracks for said deflecting means. l

47. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a cylinder formed from a flexible material having a high coemcient of heat transfer, stub-shafts connected with the opposite ends of said cylinder, said stub-shafts being adapted -to rotate said cylinder, a synchronized drive for driving both of said shafts together, andadjusting means for adjusting the driving relation between said shafts and said driving means.

48. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a flexible cylinder, deflecting means 'for deilecting said cylinder, and means for operating said deflecting means controlled by the operation of said cylinder. l

y 49. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a exible cylinder and deflecting means for said cylinder including a deflector operating member, ,constantly rotating cams adapted to operate said member selectively in either deflecting or retracting direction and means for placing said member under the influence of said earn, lsaid means including cam followers selectively movable toward and away from the cams and means for operating said cam followers.

50; In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a flexible cylinder, means for flexing said cylinder, and fluid projecting means within said cylinder, for effecting a rapid flow of the projected fluid over a surface of said cylinder, whereby the heat transfer between said cylinder and said fluid is increased.

51. 'I'he method of .locally freezing a liquid which consists in submerging a 'receptacle having a deformable heat exchange wall in said liquid, directing arefrigerant. upon the inside face of said wall, whereby the liquid adjacent the outside face ofthe wall is rapidly cooled and solidified thereon, and causing the wall to be flexed to discharge the frozen product therefrom, and said refrigerant being directed against said inside face to provide a rapid flow of the refrigerant over said face, whereby the heat exchange between -said wall and refrigerant is increased.

52. 'I'he method of solidifylng a solid from a fluid which comprises forming a layer of the solid on a flexible submerged heat exchange diaphragm, and automatically flexing said diaphragm at predetermined intervals to loosen the solid therefrom.

53. In apparatus of the classdescribed, incombination, a rotary cylinder formed from a flexible material having a high coefficient of heat transfer, deflecting means for deflecting said cylinder including a deilector rod, and means'for automatically operating said rod at predetermined intervals, said means being adjustable to change the period and/or duration of said intervals.`

54. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a rotatable cylinder formed from a ilexible material having a high coefficient of heat transfer, said cylinder being mounted on subshafts, driving means for said shafts to rotate said cylinder, and a hollow shaft through said subshafts; spray means connected with said hollow shaft, and located interiorly of said cylinder, one end of said hollow shaft being adapted to serve as an inlet for a refrigerant to be sprayed through said spraying means, and the other end of said hollow shaft being adapted to serve as anY outlet forsaid refrigerant, and insulating means for separating the unsprayed refrigerant from the sprayed refrigerant, whereby the over-all efllciency of the said apparatus is increased.

55. 'In apparatus of the class-described, in combination, a cylinder havingla thin lflexible endlessI wall, heads for the ends of said cylinder and flexible aprons for connecting the ends of said cylinder wall to their respective heads whereby the wall may be flexibly supported by said heads, and have radial movement with respect to the heads.

56. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, an endless vflexible sheet, supporting means for said sheet rotatable about a fixed axis, and means for flexibly connecting at least one of the edge portions of said sheet to said means to permit radial movement between said edge portions and said supporting means, whereby the endless flexible sheet is flexibly supported by said means and may have radial movement with respect to said means. v

57. In apparatus of the class described, in ccmbination, an endless flexible sheet, supporting means for said sheet, and means for flexibly connecting at least one of the ,edge portions of saidy sheet to said means to permit radial movement.' between said edge portions and ,said supporting means, whereby the endless flexible sheet is flexibly supported by said means and may have radial movement with respect to said means, said supporting means also affording a drive for imparting travelling motion to said endless flexible sheet.

58. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, an endless flexible sheet, supporting means movable about an axis, and means for flexibly connecting at least one of the edge portions of said sheet to said means to movement between said edge portions and said supporting means, whereby the endless flexible sheet is flexibly supported by said means and may have radial movement with respect to said means, said supporting means also affording a drive for'imparting travelling motion tov said` endless flexible sheet, and ways for causing the sheet to travel over a curved path having a straight line cross section taken along its width.

59. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, an endless flexible sheet, supporting means rotatable about a fixed axis, and means for permit radial flexibly connecting at least one'of the edge portions of said sheet to said means to permit radial movement between said edge portions and. said supporting means, whereby the endless flexible sheet is flexibly supported by saidmeans and may have radial movement with respect to said means, said supporting means also affording a drive for imparting travelling motion to said endless flexible sheet, said means for flexibly connectin-gsaid supporting means and said sheet comprising a flexible heat insulating material.

60. In apparatus for congealing fluid in strips, in combination, an endless flexible belt compris`-, ing spaced peripheral portions having a relatively high coefticient of heat transfer, separated'by peripheral portions having a relatively low coefficient of heat transfer, means for applying iiuid to be congealed to one side of said belt, means for removing heat from the other side thereof, and means for exing said belt to remove th congealed strips therefrom.

6l. Apparatus of the character described, comprising an endless flexible belt formed from a plurality of endless flexible sections arranged in edge to edge spacedrelationship, and means for flexibly connecting contiguous edge portions of adjoining sections.

62. Apparatus of the character described, comprising an endless iiexible belt formed from a plurality of endless sections arranged in edge to edge spaced relationship, and means for flexibly connecting contiguous edge portions of adjoining sections; the side edge portions of said belt having flexible aprons secured thereto anda head for closing each side of said belt, the respective `aprons being secured to the respective heads whereby the belt may be exibly driven by said heads. i

63. Apparatus of the character described, comprising an endless flexible freezing surface formed of a plurality of endless panels arranged in spaced edge to ed-ge relationship, re-enforced rubber strips secured to adjacent edge portions of adjacent panels to connect flexibly said panels, and the portions of said strips actually in contact with said panels being appreciably thicker than the proportions bridging the space between said panels.

64. The method of removing acrystallized liquid from a surface which consists in cutting adjacent troughs in said crystallized liquid and then cutting the crests left between said troughs.

65. Apparatus of the character described, comprising in combination, a' tank for a liquid to bev frozen, an endless belt movably mounted on a shaft, and at least partiallyvsubmerged in the liquid in the tank, opposite sides of said tank having cut-out U shaped portions 30-30for 'the reception of said shaft, and vertical bearing supporting plates 34-34 for supporting saidshaft and belt, and means for securing said plates in position to close said U shaped cut-out portions.

, 66. 'In apparatus of the class described, in combination, anendless iiexible belt, heads for closing the ends of said endless flexible belt, and flexibly connected to said belt," said heads being adapted to impart motion to said endless flexible belt, and a synchronized drive for drivingboth of said heads together, and adjustable means for adiusting the driving relationship existing between said heads and driving means.

67. In apparatus of the class described, iny

' combination, a vheat exchange cylinder mounted for movement about a fixed h'ollow shaft, spiders adjustably mounted inside' the cylinder, and

spray means mounted on said spiders for directing jets of a refrigerant against the interior of said cylindrical surface; means for supplying the refrigerant to said spray means through one end of said shaft, andvmeans for removing the spent vrefrigerant fromthe other end of said shaft.

68. l'nlapparatus of the class described, in combination, a heat exchange cylinder mounted for movement about a fixed hollow shaft, spidersI adjustably mounted on said shaft inside the cylinder, and spray means mounted on said spiders for directing jets of a refrigerant against the interior of said cylindrical surface, each spray means including a foraminous sheet extending the length of said cylinder and backed by a header for conducting the refrigerant to said foraminous plate,fand means for insulating said header from spent refrigerant in said cylinder; means for supplying the refrigerant to said spray means including means for supplying it to one end of said shaft, and flexible means connecting said shaft and spray means; and means for removing the spent refrigerant from the other end of said shaft. i

69. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a heat exchange cylinder immersed in a body of water, means for circulating a refrigerating liquid through the cylinder including a stand-pipe for maintaining a pre-deter'- mined head in the interior of the cylinder, and a check valve in said stand-pipe allowing the iiow of uid into said stand-pipe but preventing the flow of fluid therefrom.

'70. Apparatus of the character described, comy prising in combination, an endless exible belt, means for causing said belt to travel about one path, means for causing said belt to travel about another path, and means for causing said last named means to act periodically.

71. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a flexible cylinder, deilecting means mounted within said cylinder, and means for causing relative motion between said cylinder and deiiecting means, and means for causing said deecting means to deflect the walls of said cylinder, the operation of said last named means being timed by the relative movement between said cylinder and deflecting means.

72. In apparatus of the character described, a flexible endless belt, ways disposed within said belt, and circumferential strips located .on the interior of said endless belt forming tracks for supporting said belton said ways.

73. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, in", a flexible cylinder, deecting means for deflecting the walls of said cylinder, and means for operating said deiiecting means controlled by the relative movement between said deiiecting means and said cylinder.

74. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a flexible cylinder, deecting means for deflecting said cylinder and means for automatically operating said deflecting means at predetermined intervals, said means being adjustable to change the period and/ or .time of said intervals.

75. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a flexible cylinder, a shaft running through said cylinder, movable ways mounted on said shaft in said cylinder for radial movement with respect to said shaft, said ways being adapted to determine the path over whichthe cylinder bination, a flexible cylinder, a shaft running through said cylinder, guide means in said cyl- 1 inder, and means for mounting said guide means on said shaft for radial movement with respect to said shaft, said guide means being Yadapted to determine the path through which the cylinder wall travels, and means for moving said guide means toward and away from said shaft to change the path over which said cylinder wall travels as it moves about said shaft.

77. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a flexible cylinder movably mounted on a shaft running through said cylinder, ways in said cylinder for determining the path of travel of the wall of said cylinder, means for mounting said ways on said shaft for radial movement with respect to said shaft, said mounting means including guides secured to and radially extending from said shaft, slides mounted on said guides connected to and supporting said ways, and toggle mechanism connected with said slides for radially moving said slides with respect to said shaft.

78. A method of depositing a solid from afluid which consists in applying said fluid to one side of a flexible heat exchange diaphragm, removing heat from the other side of said diaphragm by means of a heat exchange medium and subsequently automatically flexing said diaphragm uniformly across its Width at predetermined intervals to remove the product therefrom.

79. A method of forming a solid from a fluid which consists in applying said fluid to one face of a diaphragm, maintaining spaced peripheral areas ofsaid diaphragm at a relatively low temperature and sufficient to crystallize the fluid applied thereto, and subsequently flexing the diaphragm to remove the product therefrom.

80. 'I'he method of producing ice in strips which comprises supplying the liquid to be frozen to one side of an endless flexible freezing surface having spaced peripheral heat conducting areas separated by non-heat conducting areas, removing heat from the other side of saidfreezing surface, and flexing said surface uniformly across the width of-each heat conducting area to cause strips of ice frozen on said heat conducting areas to peel therefrom.

81. The method of producing a continuous strip of solidified fluid which comprises applying the fluid to one side of an endless flexible freezing surface, removing heat from the other side of said flexible freezing surface, and causing said endless flexible freezing surface to travel over a predetermined path of such a configuration as to allow the solidified fluid to remain on said endless flexible freezing surface over a predetermined portion of said path, but the remaining portion of said path beingof such a configuration as to cause the solidified fluid to peel from the endless flexible freezing surface.

82. The process of manufacturing a free flowing substantially congealed ice product which consists in forming symmetrical sheets of ice, each sheet having a curved surface and being relatively thin in depth and having at least two edges symmetrical, and then subjecting each sheet to breakage whereby fragments having a degree of uniformity in size and shape are produced.

83. The processof manufacturing free flowing, substantially congealed, pieces of ice which consists in forming symmetrical sheets of ice, each sheet being relatively thin and having adjacent portions vof at least one of its sides out of recti- `linear alignment, causing each sheet of ice to be mechanically broken into fragments having a higher degree of uniformity in size and shape than fragments` formed from non-symmetrical sheets subjected to the same conditions.

84. The process of manufacturing free flowing substantially congealed pieces of ice, which consists in supplying material from which the ice is formed to a moving ice-sheet-forming surface having adjacent portions out of rectilinear align ment, and capable of permanentlyv imparting to the ice formed thereby a shape similar to the shape thereof, continuously removing the ice sheet formed from said surface and projecting it r surface and projecting the shaped ice therefrom in the form of elongated relatively thin sheets having a vcurvilinear surface and substantially parallel edges, said sheets being susceptible of subsequent breakage to form ice fragments of a size particularly adapted for commercial use.

86. Process of manufacturing ice which consists in supplying material from which the ice is formed to at least one moving c urved surface, substantially constant in its width, separating and projecting said strip from said moving surface in the shape of a curved strip having a free end.

87. In combination, a cylinder having an endless flexible wall, flexible aprons secured to the respective edge portions of said wall, and power driven driving means secured to said aprons for imparting rotational movement to said cylinder. 88. Inr'combination, a cylinder having a flexible Wall, a flexible apron secured to each edge portion of said wall with a fluid-tight connection, and power driven driving means secured to said aprons with fluid-tight connections for imparting rotational movement to said cylinder.

89. An apparatus of the class described, comprising, in combination, a relatively elongated and curved ice-shaping surface whereby elongated and curved shapes of ice may be formed by said iceshaping surface, receptacle means for holding a supply of material to be converted into ice shapes, means for supplying said material from said source to said surface, ice cakeforming means cooperative with said surface for converting said material so supplied into 'ice shapes, means for regulating the apparatus to Adetermine the thickness of the ice shape, and means coacting with said ice-shaping surface to cause the complete removal of the ice therefrom.

90. An apparatus for' the production of ice shapes comprising, in combination, a receptacle fora supply of material to be made into ice shapes, an ice-shaping member having an iceshaping surface adjacent portions of which are out of rectilinear alignment with each other; means for supplying successive amounts of said material to said member, means for transforming the material into solid form and causing the ice shape thus formed to conform substantially to the contours of the ice-shaping surface of said member, means for uniformly removing said ice shapes from said ice-shaping surface, and means cooperative with said member to control the thickness of the ice shapes produced by said apparatus.

91. A method of freezing liquids which consists in supplying a freezable liquid to a flexible deformable freezing surface, removing heat from predetermined spaced areas of said freezing surface to cause said freezable liquid to freeze on said surface in strips, and deflecting the freezing surface toremove the strips of frozen liquid therefrom.

92. An apparatus for manufacturing regular shapes of ice, comprising, in combination, a source of liquid to be converted into ice shapes, an iceforming member havingv an ice-shaping surface, means for supplying the liquid to said ice-forming member', and means for flexing said surface into ashape to cause the ice to separate therefrom acrossthe entire widthof said ice-shaping surface.

93. Apparatus of the character described comprising a exible cylinder, deecting means for yprogressively flexing said cylinder, automatic rmeans for periodically moving said defiecting means into flexing position, means super-imposed on said automatic means for holding said deiiecting means in flexing position when so desired, and manually operable means for shifting the control of the deecting means from said automatic means to said ,super-imposed means and vice versa, from said super-imposed means to said automatic means.l r'

94. The method of manufacturing curved ice which comprises the steps of supplying liquid to .be frozen tol a flexible freezing cylinder, and

of progressively flexing. said cylinder uniformly across its entire width to cause the sheet of ice formed thereon to peel therefrom across its entire width.

95. Apparatus comprising in combination a movable ice-shaping member having an ice-shaping surface movableabout a closed path having adjacent portions out of rectilinear alignment, means for supplying material to be converted into ice shapes to said ice-shaping surface, means co-operating with said surface for converting said material into a solid form conforming to the contours of said surface, and means for coms pletely removing said ice from said surface in the shape in which it was formed as said surface moves past a pointin said path.

96. Apparatus for making ice, in`combination, a rotary cylinder, means for refrigerating the inside of said cylinder, means for supplying water to be frozen to the exterior of saidcylinder, whereby as said cylinder rotates ice forms thereon, means for progressively changing the physical character of this cylinder uniformly across its entire width without producing a corresponding change in the ice formed thereon to cause a loosening of the ice from the cylinder, and means .for conducting said ice `away from said cylinder.'

CROSBY'

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