Patent GB-190411849-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Charging Machine for Gas Retorts.
Inventor: WEST JOHN
Filed: 1904-05-24
Granted: 1905-03-30
Abstract: 11,849. West, J. May 24. Gas retorts, charging. A retortcharging machine, adapted either to run on rails laid on the ground or to be supported overhead, and comprising a coal hopper and a cbarging-device for distributing the coal evenly on the floor of the retort, consists of a frame a, Fig. 1, provided with wheels b running on rails c on the floor of the retort house and driven by hand propelling-gear f. A vertically - slid i n g frame A, carrying a coal hopper m and charging-mechanism, is supported by chains 1 operated by gearing h, by which means the device is adjusted to the level of the retort mouth. A suitable motor may be provided for propelling the machine and for raising and lowering the charging- apparatus. The hopper m is supported on four springs m<1> which distend as the hopper is loaded, and operate weighing-mechanism t. Coal is supplied to the hopper m from overhead hoppers i, the sliding door k of which is operated by a device carried by the charging-machine when it is in position directly underneath. A projection k' on the door k engages a slot on a sliding rod l, carried by the frame a and provided at the other end with a slotted arm l<1>, with which a pin on a crank l<2> engages. By operating the crank l<2> by means of a pulley l<3> and chain l<5>, the door k may be opened or closed as desired. The hopper m is provided with a sliding door m<2> worked by means of a handle m<3>, and a flap door n, pivoted on a shaft n' sliding in slots n<2>, for the purpose of regulating the discharge opening. The door n is adjusted by means of a lever n<7> pivoted to a shaft n<6> and operated by a handle n<8>. The coal passed from the hopper m down a shoot o and is delivered between radial vanes p<1> on the periphery of a drum p. The drum p is driven by means of a belt from a suitable motor r, in this case one driven by compressed air, so arranged that the speed is decreased automatically as the charging operation proceeds. The main starting-valve in the valve box r<2> is operated by means of a crank r<4> and rod r<5> connected to an arm r<6>, which moves simultaneously with the handle m<3> for opening the hopper door m<2>. The supply of compressed air to the main valve is regulated by an auxiliary valve controlled by a rod s<2> from the hopper m, so that, as the hopper rises, due to the decrease in weight of the coal, the supply of air is gradually disconnected, causing a corresponding decrease in speed of the motor. When the drum p is driven by an electromotor, the speed is regulated by a rheostat adjusted by the hopper m. The discharge orifice in front of the drum p is provided with hinged side plates u<1>, u<2> connected respectively to two central hinged plates x<1>, x<2> by links x<4>, x<5>, Figs. 17 and 18. The plates u<1>, u<2> are so connected at their binges u<3>, u<4> by cranks u<6>, u<7>, and a rod u<5>, that they and the plates x<1>, x' connected to them are capable of being simultaneously separated or brought together. At the commencement of the charging operation, the plates are closed together as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 18, giving a central jet of coal, which is projected by the high speed of the drum to the back of the retort. As the coal hopper m rises, a rod v<4> secured thereto disengages a lever v<3>, which, moving under the action of a weight v<5>, separates the plates u<1>, u<2> and x<1>, x<2>, giving two separate jets of coal, which, owing to the decreasing speed of the drum p, is distributed at the mouth of the retort. After charging is completed, the plates u<1>, u<2> are replaced by means of a rod w. A modified form of machine is described in which an additional large hopper is provided to contain sufficient coal to recharge the hopper m several times in succession, and a motor employed for propelling the machine in front of the retort.