Patent GB-190930131-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Discharging and Charging Gas Retorts.
Inventor: GUEST ALBERT ARTHUR
IPC: C10B35/00
Filed: 1909-12-24
Granted: 1910-12-22
Abstract: 30,131. Guest, A. A., and Gibbons, W. P. Dec. 24. [Cognate Application, 15,351/10.] Charging and discharging.-Relates to apparatus for simultaneously charging and discharging horizontal retorts. As shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises lower bars A, B having a groove in which slide upper bars C, D connected by bridles 5. At the lower part is provided a longitudinal drag-bar G fitted with scrapers 6 and connected by inclined links with the bridles 5. This bar is fitted with means for raising it above the charge before withdrawal. When in position for charging, the upper bars C, D rest on the bars A, B which are supported on a stationary plate at the front of the retort, and on rollers 29, Fig. 13, on a vertically-adjustable platform 32. The coal from an overhead hopper is carried into the retort by the friction of the side bars and by the drag-bar G, and at the same time a horizontally-hinged plate 17, Fig. 8, at the front discharges the coke. To remove the charger, the bars A, B are first withdrawn for almost half the length of the retort ; the drag bar G is then raised, and the bars C, D are withdrawn for the same distance as the bars A, B ; the bars A, B are then removed from the retort and finally the bars C, D are withdrawn. When the bars A, B are withdrawn the charge is retained in place by the friction against the bars C, D and, at the same time, the charge spreads below the lower edges of the bars C, D. As shown in Fig. 8, the drag-bar, which is shorter than the side bars, is formed in two parts G, G<1> connected by a pin 7. At the front end, the bar is joined by a link 8 with an arched plate 9 fixed to the bars C, D, and at the points 7, 10 it is connected by wire ropes 11 to a wire rope 14 attached to a winding drum. In the modification shown in Fig. 15, three centrally-disposed pairs of links 19 connect the drag-bar G with the bridles 5, and the wire rope 14 passes over pulleys 21 and under pulleys 22 mounted between each pair of links. To keep the push plate 17, upon withdrawal, above the charge, it may be fitted with a thin quadrant plate 24. An electric motor is mounted upon the travelling frame 26, Fig. 13, and the shaft is provided with clutches for gearing with the shaft 48, for driving the wheels 27 on which the frame is supported, and for gearing with the shaft driving the drum for winding the suspending-chains 33, 34. For operating the upper and lower bars and the drag-bar of the apparatus, the mechanism shown in Figs. 21 and 22 is employed. To move the charger into the retort, wire ropes 55, 56, fixed to the rear ends 57, 58 of the lower bars, pass round rollers 59, 60 and are wound on drums 61, 62 mounted on a shaft 63 beneath the charger. To withdraw the lower bars A, B of the charger, a wire rope 68, fixed to a cross-bar 69 connecting the bars A, B, passes over a roller 70 on the platform 32 and is wound on a drum 72 in the opposite direction to which the ropes 55, 56 are wound on the drums 61, 62. The three drums 61, 62, 72 are mounted in a sleeve connected to the shaft 63 by a clutch 74. The bars C, D and the drag-bar G are operated by the wire rope 14, which passes over the guide pulley 75 to a drum 76 mounted on a shaft 77 having a clutch 80. Sliding blocks 81 running in guides 82 against springs 83 are provided for mounting the pulleys 59, 60. In a modification, the bars A, B may be operated by providing a pinion to mesh with teeth formed on the underside of the bars. In connexion with retort houses of short length, the bars A, B, C, D may be made in lengths jointed together and provided with rollers 85, Fig. 18, which mount up curved channel bars 84 when the charger is withdrawn. As a modification, the bars A, B, C, D may be of less length than the retorts and furnished with means for locking the bars A, B to the bars C, D when the upper bars are in advance of the lower. To effect this, bolts 90, 91, Fig. 22, carried on a plate 97 fixed to the upper bars, are formed with inclined ends 92 engaging holes in the bars A, B. These bolts are operated by levers 93, 94 fulcrumed at 95, 96, the ends of the levers being pressed together by a spring 100. When the charger has been advanced into the retort for some distance, the bars A, B are withdrawn until they become locked to the bars C, D by the bolts 90, 91. The charger is then advanced to the end of the retort, and the drag-bar G is raised by the wire rope 14. At the completion of this movement, a block 101 separates the levers 93, 94 and releases the bolts so that the bars C, D may then be withdrawn over the bars A, B. The drag bar may be made in sections so as to be raised at the rear end or to slide over one another. In a modified construction of charger, the bars 104, Fig. 28, may be inclined outwards, in which case the push plate at the front end is preferably hinged vertically. In connexion with this arrangement, the charger is advanced to the retort through a short tunnel 106, Fig. 29, mounted on the platform 32. The charging-shoot 107 is shaped as shown, and is provided with adjustable flaps 111, 112 and with a curved wire brush 113.