IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF LIME AND CEMENT KILNS AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Valentine Mumford, of Sheffield, in the
County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF LIME AND CEMENT KILNS AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH, WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR
PURPOSES."
Scaled the 12th April 1876, and dated the 21st October 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Valentine
Mumford at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 21st October 1875.
I, JOHN VALENTINE MUMFORD, of Sheffield, in the County of York,
do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LIME AND CEMENT KILNS AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH, WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES,"
to be as follows:-
.
My Invention has for its object constructing lime and cement kilns
in such a manner as to prevent the mixture of the fuel with the limo,
to effect economy in the consumption of fuel, to enable the lime to be

page_text: drawn without stopping the furnace, to obtain a greater control or super-
vision over the operation of burning cement, and present a larger surface
to the direct action of the heat than heretofore.
In carrying out my Invention in order to effect these objects I con-
struct the furnaces and cupolas of fire-brick with ordinary grate bars and
frames and doors, and with an ashpit containing water, so that the hot
cinders falling therein produce steam, which by ascending and passing
through the fire becomes superheated and assists the burning of the
lime or cement, whilst at the same time improving the quality of the
same.
I feed or supply the kiln with limestone (for example) at the top, and
prevent it from falling into the furnaces by means of vertical fire-brick
pillars at the end of the furnace.
The flame and heat from the furnaces pass through the body of lime-
stone, burning it where it is opposite the furnaces, and the waste heat
and flame heat it upwards to such an extent that on removing the
burnt lime from the under side the mass above settles down in a red hot
state to the direct action of the furnaces.
66
The furnaces, two of which to each kiln are by preference employed,
are arranged on the sides of the kiln opposite to each other. Each
draw" is made through an arch passing under the furnace and ashpit
on one side only of the kilns, and the lime or cement after being burnt
is discharged from hoppers at the end of the draws, a car or wagon
running on a suitable elevated track being provided for the reception of
the lime from any number of kilns.
The body of the car or wagon, which extends down below the level of
the bottom of the wheels, is made of a semicircular form and is suspended
upon an axis, so as to admit of its turning over for the discharge of its
contents. The body is maintained in its normal horizontal position by
means of a circular bar, which is altered in position when the car or
wagon is to be emptied, and after the discharge has been effected the
body is caused to return to its normal position by its own gravity; this
car is applicable to other similar purposes. The hoppers are fitted with
lids for the purpose of shutting off any draught and causing it to pass
through the furnace.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Valentine Mumford in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 21st April 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
VALENTINE MUMFORD, of Sheffield, in the County of York, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five,
in the 39th year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said John Valentine Mumford,
Her special license, that I, the said John Valentine Mumford, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
John Valentine Mumford, my executors, administrators, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
LIME AND CEMENT KILNS AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, WHICH APPA-
RATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Valentine Mumford, my exc-
cutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Valentine Mumford, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say:--
My said Invention has for its object constructing lime and cement
kilns, in such a manner as to prevent the mixture of the fuel with the

page_text: lime, to effect economy in the consumption of fuel, to enable the lime to
be drawn without stopping the furnace, to obtain a greater control or
supervision over the operation of burning cement, and present a larger
surface to the direct action of the heat than heretofore.
In carrying out my Invention in order to effect these objects I con-
struct the furnaces and cupolas of fire-brick with ordinary grate bars
and frames and doors, and with an ashpit containing water, so that the
hot cinders falling therein produce steam, which by ascending and
passing through the fire becomes superheated and assists the burning of
the lime or cement, whilst at the same time improving the quality of
the same.
I feed or supply the kilu with limestone (for example) at the top
and prevent it from falling into the furnaces by means of vertical
pillars of fire-brick, or other suitable material, at the end of the
furnace.
The flame and heat from the furnaces pass through the body of lime-
stone, burning it where it is opposite the furnaces, and the waste heat
and flame heat it upwards to such an extent that on removing the
burnt lime from the under side, the mass above settles down in a red
hot state to the direct action of the furnaces.
The furnaces, two of which to each kiln are by preference employed,
are arranged on the sides of the kiln opposite to each other. Each
"draw" is made through an arch passing under the furnace and
ashpit on one side only of the kilns, and the lime or cement after
being burnt is discharged into a car or wagon running on a suitable
track.
The body of the car or wagon is made, by preference, of a semi-
circular form, and is suspended upon an axis so as to admit of its turning
over for the discharge of its contents, but is maintained in its normal
horizontal position by means of a bar which is altered in position when
the car or wagon is to be emptied, and after the discharge has been
effected the body is caused to return to its normal position by its own
gravity.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that
purpose shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of

page_text: Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in
all the corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a longitudinal vertical
section of my improved kiln for burning lime and cement; Figure 2 is a
section of the same taken at right angles to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sido
elevation of the improved construction of car or wagon for receiving
and conveying away the lime or cement from the kiln after it has
been burnt; Figure 4 is a plan, and Figure 5 an end view, both corre-
sponding to Figure 3.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings, A represents the
cupola or chamber into which the limestone (for example) to be burnt
is introduced from the top by means of a hopper or otherwisc. This
cupola is constructed of fire-brick and, by preference, of an elliptical
form, in horizontal section and tapering gradually from the bottom to
the top. B, B, are furnaces (two of which are by preference employed,
as shewn) arranged one on each side of the lower end of the cupola A
and provided with ordinary fire-doors and grate bars C, and with an
ashpit D. The ashpits are provided with a recess or trough for con-
taining water, into which the hot cinders from the furnace fall, whereby
steam is produced, which by ascending and passing through the firo
becomes superheated and assists the burning of the lime, an economy
is thus effected in the consumption of fuel, whilst at the same time the
quality of the lime is improved.
The lime under treatment is prevented from entering the furnaces by
pillars E (by preference of fire-clay) arranged in the throat, or that part
of the furnace which opens directly into the cupola.
The heat and flame from the furnaces enter the cupola at the lower
part and pass through the body of limestone, burning that portion
which is situate opposite the furnace, and by their ascent heating the
mass above to such an extent that upon removing the burnt portion
the upper strata settle down or descend in a highly heated condition, to
be in their turn subjected to the direct action of furnaces. When the
lime is sufficiently burnt (which result may be ascertained by inspection
by means of sight holes F) it is withdrawn or removed from the cupola
through the drawn arch or passage G, which communicates with the
bottom thereof.

page_text: The draw arch or passage G is arranged beneath the ashpit of the
furnace on one side only of the kiln, and is provided with a mouth-
piece H fitted with a hinged door I and spring catch K, for the purpose
of preventing the escape of heat and the admission of draught through
the passage G into the cupola.
The burnt lime may be discharged through the mouth-piece ■ into
any suitable receptacle, but I prefer to employ a car or wagon con-
structed in the manner next herein-after described and illustrated by
Figures 3, 4, and 5, of the accompanying Drawings. This car consists
of a framing L mounted upon four running wheels M, M, which may
be provided with smooth peripheries for running on ordinary roads if
desired, or formed with flanges similar to railway wheels (as shewn) for
running on rails or tramways as herein-after described. The framing L
is provided on its under side with two lugs or bearings N for supporting
the body O of the car, which body is made, by preference, of a semi-
circular form and is provided on the ends P, P, with studs or journals
Q, Q, by means of which it is suspended in the bearings N so as to
be capable of partially rotating or tipping when required, in order to
discharge the contents of the car. The body O is prevented from
rotating, or is retained in a horizontal position by means of a bar or
lever R hinged at S on one end of the framing L, and engaging with
one side of the body O.
The lime or other material placed in the body should be so arranged
therein as to cause the weight to preponderate at the opposite side of
the body to that with which the hinged lever R engages in order that
when the lever is disengaged from the body the latter will rotate on the
studs Q, Q, and discharge its contents, after which it will resume its
normal horizontal position by its own gravity.
Any number of the kilns herein-before described may be arranged side
by side in front of and immediately below the discharging mouth I, of
which I construct a line of rails for the traverse of the cars or wagons,
herein-before described, which receive the burnt lime or cement from
the kilns and convey it away to any
desired locality.
It is obvious that the cars or wagons, herein-before described, are
equally applicable for conveying mortar, mud, or for any other purpose.
wherein a tipping action of the body of the vessel is advantageous.

page_text: Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to
be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. The combination in lime and cement kilns of a duplicate series
of furnaces with a single series of draw arches or discharge passages,
substantially as herein-before described.
2ndly. The employment in the furnaces of lime and cement kilns
of pillars of fire-brick or other suitable material for the purpose of
preventing the lime or other substance under treatment from entering
the furnaces, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by
my Drawings.
3rdly. The application and use of water in the ashpits of the furnaces of
lime and cement kilns, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described.
4thly. Constructing lime and cement kilns with the draw arches or
discharge passages below the level of the furnaces, and in communi-
cation with the bottom of the cupola or chamber wherein the lime or
other substance is burnt, substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
5thly. The combination in a car or wagon of a tipping or partially
rotating body O retained in its normal position when loaded by the
hinged bar or lever S, and suspended in such a manner that after the
discharge of its contents when released by the motion of the hinged
bar or lever it shall be automatically returned to its normal position,
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Valentine Mumford, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of April, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
JOHN VALENTINE MUMFORD. (L.S.)