IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND IN APPLIANCES FOR VENTILATING STEAM SHIPS AND SAILING VESSELS,
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Colling, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham,
Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND IN
APPLIANCES FOR VENTILATING STEAM SHIPS AND SAILING VESSELS,”","
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Colling at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th June 1881.
JOHN COLLING, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham, Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND IN APPLIANCES FOR VENTILATING STEAM SHIPS
AND SAILING VESSELS."
My Invention relates to an improved form of ventilators, and to the appliances
connected with them by means of which the ventilation of all parts of steam ships
or sailing vessels can be effectually carried on under conditions of weather such as
to render the present methods impracticable or dangerous. I propose to use instead
of the ordinary ventilators at present fitted to the decks of steamers and sailing
vessels a ventilator having one of its mouths secured to the deck, forming the
figure the other mouth, which is open to the atmosphere, being fitted with an
arrangement of valves opening outward by gravity and closing automatically
instantaneously to exclude the entrance of water (which may be shipped in rough
weather) into the open mouth of the ventilator.
The mouth of the ventilator which is bolted to the deck is in connection with
air channels leading into or through the various compartments of the vessel, both in
cabins, cargo holds, and other spaces where required with suitable water tight
doors or sluices at the various bulkheads.
The number and positions of the ventilators are regulated by the size, internal
arrangements, and general requirements of the vessel, the principle being carried
out by one of them forming an inlet or "downcast," while the other forms an
outlet or "upcast" for the current of air. The latter I propose generally to fit
with a steam jet (from the main or from an auxiliary boiler) so disposed as to create
a strong current between the inlet and outlet ventilator; but in such cases where
steam is not available I make the inlet ventilator of a form which, while freely

page_text: admitting the current of air when set facing the wind, will exclude the entrance of
water in rough weather.
The object of my Invention is to maintain constant and uniform currents of air
of such intensity as may be necessary and capable of being controlled and regulated,
so that the temperature of grain or other perishable cargoes may be kept as nearly
as possible uniform. I employ testing pipes in suitablo positions, which by means
of thermometers enable the temperature of the cargo to be ascertained from time to
time.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Colling in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th December
1881.
"IMPROVE-
JOHN COLLING, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham, Engineer.
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF VENTILATING STEAM SHIPS AND SAILING VESSELS."
My Invention relates to an improved form of ventilators, and to the appliances
connected with them by means of which the ventilation of all parts of steam ships
or sailing vessels can be effectually carried on under conditions of weather such as
to render the present methods impracticable or dangerous. I propose to use instead
of the ordinary ventilators at present fitted to the decks of steamers and sailing
vessels a ventilator (having one of its mouths secured to the deck) forming the
figure the other mouth, which is open to the atmosphero, being fitted with an
arrangement of valves opening outward by gravity and closing automatically and
instantaneously to exclude tho entrance of water (which may be shipped in rough
weather) into the open mouth of the ventilator.
The mouth of the ventilator which is bolted to the deck is in connection with
air channels leading into or through the various compartments of the vessel, both in
cabins, cargo holds, and other spaces where required with suitable water tight
doors or sluices at the various bulk heads.
The number and positions of the ventilators are regulated by the size, internal
arrangements, and general requirements of the vessel, the principle being carried
out by one of them forming an inlet or "downcast," while the other forms an
outlet or "upcast" for the current of air. The latter I propose generally to fit
with a steam jet (from the main or from an auxiliary boiler) so disposed as to create
a strong current between the inlet and outlet ventilators; but in such cases where
steam is not available I make the inlet ventilator of a form which, while freely
admitting the current of air when set facing the wind, will exclude the entrance of
water in rough weather.
The object of my Invention is to maintain constant and uniform currents of air
of such intensity as may be necessary and capable of being controlled and regulated,
so that the temperaturo of grain or other perishable cargoes may be kept as nearly
as possible uniform. I employ testing pipes in suitable positions, which by means

page_text: time.
The accompanying Sheet of Drawings with the description following fully explain
the principle and operation of my Invention.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figures 1 and 14 shew a sectional elevation and plan (half in section) of one of
my improved outlet or upcast ventilators fitted with a steam jet J. The cowl A is
in this case a casting revolving on a socket and flange joint upon the part B which
is fixed to the deck and containing the valve seats C, C, C, in which are fitted 3
spherical or ball valves D, D, D, formed of some suitable material, preferably made
hollow for lightness, and confined in cages E, E, E. The normal position of these
valves is at the bottom of the cages, the apertures being then open, but when a
wave is shipped tending to rush into the open mouth of the ventilator, the balls
float upwards upon it and closo tho apertures till the wave has passed, when they
reopen them by falling into their cages.
Figures 2 and 2ª shew a sectional elevation and plan (half in section) of an
improved inlet or downcast ventilator, which is similar in construction, except
that the inlet is arranged horizontally, and bell mouthed so as to facilitate the
admission of the wind when turned to face it, which is done by revolving the
cowl A on the socket joint upon the fixed piece B. The valve seats, ball
valves, and cages are all the same as in Figures 1 and 14, but there is no
steam jet.
The cowls can be made as a casting in any suitable metal, or they may be made
of sheet iron, brass, or copper.
When fitted where steam is not available the upcast ventilator is made exactly
as shown, but the jet pipe and nozzle are omitted.
Figure 3 shews a longitudinal section of a steamer fitted with the improved
ventilators in the two principal compartments, namely, the main and aft holds. The
machinery space is omitted, not being required to be shown.
Figure 4 shews a transverse section of the vessel to a larger scale.
a a, are tho downcast ventilators, and b, b, are the upcast ventilators, constructed
as above described. The downcast ventilators a, a, convey the air by pipes c below
the main deck beams, and thenco by pipes or channels attached to the bulkhead
to the bottom of the hold or compartiment, having (when considered necessary)
openings at any desired point, and arranged at suitable positions to distribute the
fresh air.
The upcast ventilator cowls b, b, are connected to pipes f. f which terminate in
boxes g, g, running the whole length of the compartment close under the main
deck beams, and along the reverse frames, and from these boxes branch pipes h, h,
are carried down through the "shelf stringer," and into the lower part of the hold
at any desired point, with openings at such points as it may be desirable to collect
and draw away the heated air to the upcast.
The boxes g, g, are provided with apertures in the side next the skin of ship,
which are covered with perforated zinc or other material for the purpose of
drawing away the heated air to the upcast.
The arrangement illustrated sufficiently explains the general principle upon
which the system may be carried out, but it is obvious that many modifications
and extensions may be adopted, as more ventilators may be applied to each
compartment, or those fixed in one compartment may be connected by boxes or
pipes to other compartments by suitable doors or valves in the bulkheads. The
cabins and saloons may also be ventilated either by separate ventilators or by
connections to those fitted to the holds or cargo spaces. The ventilators are also
applicable to coal bunkers or to coal cargo holds to draw off the gases evolved
from the coal by upcast, and replace them by fresh air from the downcast.
The operation of the ventilating apparatus is as follows:-The downcast

page_text: cowls a, a, being set facing the wind, the upcast cowls b, b, are set with their backs
to the wind, and when fitted with a steam jet steam is turned on, and in issuing
forms a partial vacuum behind it, which induces a strong current from the down-
cast ventilators a, a, through the various parts of the compartment, and to the
upcast ventilator by means of the down pipes and air boxes. This current once
established the steam may be turned off, and the different gravities of the entering
cold air and the issuing heated air will keep the circulation going on.
When the steam jet is not available the circulation is carried on sololy by the
different gravities of the entering cold air and the issuing heated air, and by the
force of the wind entering the mouth of the down-cast cowl.
The process of circulation is only interrupted by the momentary closing of the
valves in the ventilator cowls to repulse the entry of water in storiny weather, and
on their reopening the circulation is again renowod.
I propose to make my Invention applicable to the ordinary ventilators used for
the stoke holes and engine rooms of steamers in cases where they are liable to
admit water through their mouths (as in stormy weather) by fitting them with my
improved cowls and valves.
Having now fully described my Invention and shewn by the Drawings the
manner in which it may be carried into practical operation, I would have it
understood that what I consider novel, and therefore claim as secured to me by
the foregoing in part recited Letters Patent is as follows, namely:-
1st. The construction of ventilators with self acting valves, arranged and
operating substantially as shewn and described.
2nd. The application to ventilators constructed with self acting valves of a steam
jet, for the purposes and operating substantially as shewn and described.
3rd. In connection with such ventilators the use or application of downcast and
upcast pipes, and boxes or channels for conveying air into and away from the
various holes or compartments of ships, substantially as shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, tho said John Colling, have hereunto set my hand and
scal, this Twenty seventh day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
T. J. DANSON,
Patent Agent & Consulting Engineer,
Newcastle on Tyne.
JOHN COLLING. (L.S.)