IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE VENTILATION OF RAILWAY TUNNELS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Captain Edward Walter of Tangley near Wokingham in
the County of Berks for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR THE VENTILATION OF RAILWAY TUNNELS "
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Walter at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th March 1883.
Captain EDWARD WALTER of Tangley near Wokingham in the County of Berks.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE VENTILATION OF RAILWAY TUNNELS "
This invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for the ventilation
of railway tunnels.
For this purpose I form a ventilating channel within the tunnel passing along
it from end to end or as far as ventilation may be necessary. I construct this
channel by fixing a partition beneath the roof of the tunnel so as to enclose an air
passage of large sectional area whilst not inconveniently reducing the headway
over the two lines of road I form the partition in such a way that the space
occupied is mainly that between the roadways where headway is not required.
I provide holes or apertures in the partition from distance to distance along
the tunnel wherever ventilation may be wanted and I fit doors to these apertures
to be opened and closed to regulate the ventilation. At the end of the tunnel or
also where when more convenient I connect the ventilating channel with a conduit
leading to a powerful exhaust fan driven by a steam engine; or other suitable
mechanism for withdrawing air may be employed.
By these means the hot smoke and steam discharged from the locomotives
running through the tunnel which rise at once to the roof are drawn directly into
the ventilating channel; the ventilation is thus economically effected and it is
under perfect control.
•

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edward Walter in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th September 1883.
Captain EDWARD WALTER of Tangley near Wokingham in the County of Berks
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE VENTILATION OF RAILWAY TUNNELS
"
This Invention has for its objects improvements in apparatus for the ventilation
of railway tunnels.
For this purpose I form a ventilating channel within the tunnel passing along
it beneath the roof from end to end or as far as ventilation may be necessary.
I provide holes or apertures from distance to distance along the tunnel wherever
ventilation may be wanted
I connect the ventilating channel with a conduit leading to a powerful exhaust
fan driven by a steam engine, or other suitable mechanism for withdrawing air may
be employed.
By these means the hot smoke and steam discharged from the locomotives
running through the tunnel which rise at once to the roof are drawn directly into
the ventilating channel; the ventilation is thus economically effected and it is under
perfect control.
In order that my said invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
The drawings show one way in which I propose to carry out my invention. In
these drawings Figure 1 is a cross section of a tunnel engine and boiler houses
with a fan for drawing hot smoke and steam from the tunnel to ventilate it.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the centre line of the tunnel near its
end and shows the general elevation of engine and boiler houses and fan. Figure 3
is a plan of the same partly in section. In these figures the same letters refer to
similar parts.
A is the tunnel from which it is desired to draw off the hot smoke and steam
discharged from the locomotives, B a channel or pipe fixed by preference along the
centre of the tunnel just under the crown of the roof or arch, Ca conduit or upcast
shaft through which a fan exhausts or draws off the hot smoke and steam, D is
the exhaust fan driven by an engine E, F, F, are boilers to supply steam to the
engine.
The pipe or channel B has formed in it a number of holes 6 6 b, spaced and
graduated in size over a long distance of the pipe. An additional culvert or tube
may be provided if necessary for the admission of air.
What I claim is the ventilating apparatus for railway tunnels herein described,
consisting of a ventilating channel B with entrance apertures bb suitably spaced
along it, arranged preferably immediately beneath the roof of the tunuel and
connected with a fan or like mechanism for withdrawing air substantially as
described.
In witness whereof I the said Edward Walter have hereunto set my hand and
seal this twenty sixth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
EDWARD WALTER (L.S.)