IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RETORT LIDS, MAN-11OLE COVERS VALVES, SLUICES, AND SUCH LIKE APPARATUS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Eglinton Anderson Gwynne, of Victoria Embank-
ment, Essex Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, and
Henry Collinson, of Upper Hosier Street, Reading, in the County of Berks,
Engineer, and of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RETORT LIDS, MAN-11OLE COVERS
VALVES, SLUICES, AND SUCH LIKE APPARATUS."
Sealed the 23rd May 1876, and dated the 25th March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Eglinton Anderson
Gwynne and Henry Collinson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 25th March 1876.
JAMES EGLINTON ANDERSON GWYNNE, of Victoria Embankment, Essex Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, and HENRY COLLINSON, of
Upper Hosier Street, Reading, in the County of Berks, Engineer, and of Boston,
Massachusetts, United States. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RETORT
LIDS, MAN-HOLE COVERS, VALVES, SLUICES, AND SUCH LIKE APPARATUS.”
The object of this Invention is to secure or provide a means of making an air,
gas, water, or steam-tight joint, valve, door, top, or lid to openings of any kind
without the use or intervention of packing or luting (unless when otherwise described),
and to clean or scrape and keep smooth and even the joints or faces of valves or
lids or such like openings, and remove thick adhesive or dirty accumulations that
may gather on the faces of such openings, valves, or lids, and to perfect and improve
upon the Patent granted to the said Henry Collinson, No. 3260, of 1875.
Also to construct valve faces, doors, and lids with faces of different metals or
combination of metals, woods, gums, or other materials capable of resisting the
action of chemicals.
And in the constructing of retort doors, lids, or covers of fire-clay or other materials
or combinations of clay or like materials and iron so as more effectually to resist
the action of heat or chemicals.
The Invention consists, first, of a lid or lids or covers having a true face or faces
so constructed that while being revolved or turned round or screwed down or forced
by screw lever or otherwise against the seat (or unscrewed and removed from the
seat) the said lid or cover receives a rotating and sliding or eccentric motion, thus
[Price 6d.]

page_text: -
rubbing, scraping, or cleaning the seat or face against which the lid or valve is
permanently brought in contact.
This is effected in several ways, but for simplicity of explanation we will describe
the manner in which we construct one of our improved gas retort lids, being one of
the applications of this Invention.
We construct the retort mouth piece of iron or other suitable metal, or of a com-
bination of metal and clay, burned or otherwise, with a flat surface around the open-
ing, having on its inner edge a projecting rib or stop or rim to prevent the tools
used in charging and drawing the retort or the coals or coke from damaging the face
or seat.
We find this a necessity and a want in the Patent above referred to, and
arranged in such a way that when the lid or cover is held firmly against the seat
an air or gas-tight joint is obtained. A hinged cross bar or other suitable support
is secured by a hinge lug in any convenient way to the retort head or mouth piece,
and this bar is fastened by a latch, link, cam, lever, or other fastening to the other
side of the retort head, a spring or springs is attached to the cross bar, link, cam,
or fastening, so as to put a pressure on the lid and bring it in contact with the
retort face while the lid is being turned round. A screw passes through the
hinged bar and has its inner end secured in any desired manner to an eccentric
head or cam of any required dimensions, the head or cam is attached to the lid,
and the lid itself is eccentric to the head or cam, so that upon turning the screw
inwards it forces the cover or lid against the seat, while at the same time by means
of the eccentric head, and the eccentricity of the lid itself, it slides or scrapes or
shifts the face of the lid or cover over the surface of the seat in a circular and
irregular path so that the entire surface is cleansed. The action of the parts is
such that the cover or lid is brought into the closest contact with the seat, and in
fact grinds for itself a joint each time, removing all foreign matter that may be
adhering to either the lid or the seat. This action of the double eccentric secures
a new seat each time between the faces of the valve lid and the retort head, for
the addition to the retort lid turning gradually round the whole face is moved in
its position upon the ground face of the retort head, and rarely if ever do the faces
come together on the same spot.
This effect is not produced by the single eccentric described in Henry Collinson's
Patent, No. 3260, of 1875, as was anticipated, and the double eccentric action is
absolutely necessary to ensure the changing position of the seats as now described.
This arrangement secures an absolutely perfect system with an equality of wear,
and an accuracy of faces or surfaces not possible to be obtained with any other
form of lid or valve, should a leak at any time appear a few turns of the lid or
valve on its face will secure a tight joint, and this without any luting or packing,
and with much less pressure between the lid or valve and face than is necessary
with the valves or retort lids.
The spring or springs, which may be of any convenient shape, and which is con-
nected to the end of the lever or hinged bar, or in any other suitable position,
intended to throw a pressure on the lid while it is being turned round and unscrewed
or screwed home, so that the lid by the action of the spring or springs scrapes or
grinds or slides over the face of the retort seat both during the process of opening
and closing of the retort, and the faces against which the air or gas-tight joints are
made are thus always kept clean and flat, and in the best condition for making a
tight joint. Instead of a spring, a weight, lever, or any other mode of securing
a pressure between the faces may be substituted.
The inner lid is kept in its place by a ring or other suitable contrivance fastened
to the outer lid in any convenient way.
2nd. The rubbing or sliding motion may be given to retort lids, to valves, man.
hole covers, sluices, doors, and such like purposes, in several ways, for instance, as
by the use of one eccentric, as described in the Patent above referred to, by the use
of gearing, levers, helicals, ovals, cams, or other irregular shapes, by placing an
eccentric on the screw and making the ring eccentric, or in any other convenient

page_text: way.
We give the preference, however, to the double eccentric as described by us,
as securing by the greatest variation in the seat or joint faces without any increase
of the cost or the number of parts.
3rd. We construct valves for gas, steam, water, and other fluids in such a way
that the faces forming the joints can be made to rotate or revolve or slide or oscil-
late, and thus rub and grind against each other whether circular with recesses, or
plain seats, and this we do by the use of a spring, which throws them into action
and keeps them (the faces) in control while being rotated or oscillated; the spring
or springs may further produce the rotation, or they may be caused to rotate when
being screwed or unscrewed both in the process of screwing and unserewing, or
before or after they have been forced home to their seats by levers, cams, or in any
other way.
We also, when desired, introduce a moveable or permanent scraper or
brush, which can be where movable be thrown out of the face and then add additional
cleaning power to the rotating faces.
4th. We use an eccentric lever or cam instead of a screw where desired to force
the lid or valve home to its face; we also give motion, either rotary or oscillating
or irregular, to lids, slides, sluice doors, valves, and we effect this either by hand or
otherwise, so that the joint surfaces may be ground or scraped or rubbed, and
whether kept in contact by the pressure of springs, weights, or in any other con-
venient manner.
5th. We construct valve faces, door lids, with faces of different metals or com-
binations of metals, of wood, gums, or other materials found better capable of resisting
the action of chemicals or destructive gases, which we vary to suit the special
requirements of the case.
Gth. The spring or springs, weights, or their equivalents, we consider a most
important feature in the construction of all forms of valves or doors when the power
to cleanse and vary the bearing surfaces is desired.
7th. We construct gas retort doors, or such as are exposed to great heat or
chemical action, of fire-clay or other material, either in a skeleton of iron, or wholly
of the clay, to better resist the action of heat.
The forin of the parts, V, the mode of construction, may be greatly varied, and our
Invention we apply to all forms of gas, water, steam, and other valves and sluices,
man-hole and other doors, and to openings of all kinds requiring tight joints.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Eglinton Anderson Gwynne and Henry Collinson in the Great
Scal Patent Office on the 23rd September 1876.
JAMES EGLINTON ANDERSON GWYNNE, of Victoria Embankment, Essex Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, and HENRY COLLINSON, of
Upper Hosier Street, Reading, in the County of Berks, Engineer, and of
Boston, Massachusetts, United States. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF RETORT LIDS, MAN-HOLE COVERS, VALVES, SLUICES, AND SUCH LIKE AP-
PARATUS."
This Invention relates to improvements in former Letters Patent granted to George
Thomas Soley, No. 3260, dated the 17th September 1875, being a cominunication
from the said Henry Collinson, and the object of these improvements is to secure or
provide a means of making an air, gas, water, or steam-tight joint door, valve top,
or lid to openings of any kind without the use or intervention of packing or luting,
unless where otherwise described, and to clean or scrape the joints or faces of
valves or lids or such like openings as in gas retort lids or valves where thick
adhesive or dirty accumulations gather or are deposited on the faces of such
openings or valve faces or lids by the action of opening and shutting such door,
valve top, or lid, and to prevent radiation of heat through the heads and lids of
retorts.

page_text: The Invention consists, first, of a lid or lids or covers having a truc flat face or
faces so constructed that while being screwed down or forced against the seat or
unscrewed or removed from the seat, the said lid or cover receives a rotating and
sliding or eccentric motion, thus rubbing, scraping, or cleansing the seat or face
against which the lid or valve is permanently brought in contact.
This is effected in several ways, but for simplicity of explanation we will describe
the manner in which we would construct a gas retort lid, being one of the
applications of this Invention.
We construct the retort mouth-piece of iron with a turned face round the opening
made quite flat and smooth, having on its inner edge a projecting rib or stop or
rim to prevent the tools or coke or coal from damaging the face or seat, and
arranged in such a way that when the lid or cover is held firmly against the seat
an air or gas-tight joint is obtained, a hinged cross bar or other suitable support
is secured by a hinge lug in any convenient way to the retort head or mouth piece,
and this bar is fastened by a latch, cam, lever, or other fastening to the other side
of the casing.
A spring is attached to the lever so as to put a pressure on the
lid and bring it in contact with the retort face while it is being turned round. A
screw passes through the hinged bar, and has its inner end secured in any desired
manner to an eccentric head or cam of any required dimensions. This head or cam
is seated in a recess in the lid, and the lid itself is eccentric to the head or cam, so
that upon turning the screw inwards it forces the cover or lid against the seat,
while at the same time by means of the eccentric head and the eccentricity of the
lid itself it slides or scrapes or shifts the face of the lid or cover over the surface
of the scat in a circular and irregular path so that the entire surface is cleansed.
The action of the parts is such that the cover or lid is brought into the closest
contact with the seat, and in fact grinds for itself a joint, each time removing all
foreign matter that may be adhering to either the lid or the seat. This action of
the double eccentrics secures a new seat each time between the faces of the valve
lid and the retort head, for in addition to the retort lid turning gradually round the
whole face is moved in its position upon the ground face of the retort head, and
rarely, if ever, do the faces come together on the same spot, this secures an
absolutely perfect system with an equality of wear and an accuracy of faces or
surfaces not possible to be obtained with any other form of valve. As there is no
dead point or stop to the lid, should a leak at any time appear a few turns of the
valve on its face will secure a tight joint, and this without any luting or packing,
and with much less pressure between the valve and face then is necessary with
other retort lids. The spring, which may be of any convenient shape, and which
is connected to the end of the lever or hinged bar, or in any other suitable position,
is intended to throw a pressure on the lid while it is being turned round and
unscrewed or screwed home, so that the lip scrapes or grinds or slides over the
face of the retort seat both during the process of opening and closing of the retort,
and the faces against which the air or gas-tight joints are made are thus always
kept clean and flat, and in the best condition for making a tight joint. Instead
of a spring a weight, lever, or any other mode of securing a pressure between the
faces may be substituted. The inner lid is kept in its place by a ring or other
suitable contrivance fastened to the outer lid in any convenient way.
Second. The rubbing or sliding motion may be given to retort lids, to valves,
man-hole covers, sluices, doors, &c., &c., in several ways, for instance, by the use of one
eccentric instead of two, by the use of gearing levers, cam, helicals, ovals, or other
irregular shapes, by placing an eccentric on the screw, or making the ring eccentric,
or in any other convenient way, we give the preference, however, to the double
eccentric as securing the greatest variation in the scat joint and faces.
Third. We construct valves for gas, water, and other fluids in such a way that
the faces forming the joint are caused to rotate and thus rub and grind against each
other by the use of a spring, which throws them into action and keeps them in
contact while being rotated, screwed, or unscrewed, both in the process of closing
and opening the valve or lid, we also, where desired, and where found advantageous,

page_text: introduce a moveable scraper or brush, which can be thrown out of the face, and
thus add additional cleansing power to the rotating faces.
Motion can be given to all valves, lids, slides, sluices, doors, &c., either by hand
or otherwise, so that the surfaces may be ground or scraped together, and whether
kept in contact by the pressure of springs, weights, or in any other convenient
manner.
The spring or springs or their equivalents we consider a most important
feature in the construction of valves, and the power to clean and vary the bearing
surfaces.
The form of the parts and the mode of construction may be greatly varied, and
the system is applicable to all forms of gas, water, and other valves, and sluices,
man-hole, and other doors, side lights, and openings for ships, and to openings of all
kinds requiring tight joints.
It is to be understood that where desired we introduce to the valves, doors, &c.,
faces of metals or combinations of metals, of wood, gums, or other materials found
better capable of resisting the action of chemicals, destructive gases, &c., and which
we vary to suit the circumstances of the case.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood we will refer
to the Sheet of Drawings attached hereto, in which we shew how the Invention may
be carried into practical effect; we do not confine ourselves to the details here shewn,
as any engineer will understand how they may be varied and modified to secure
a like result. Like letters and figures refer to similar parts in the various views
shown.
Fig. 1 is an end view in section of a lid or cover or valve constructed according
to this Invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of same. Fig. 5 is an end view. Fig. 3 is view
of the eccentric face.
Fig. 4 is a view of the eccentric inner ring through which motion is communi-
cated to the eccentric face g, Fig. 3.
Fig. 8 is a concentric ring which may be used instead of the eccentric ring
Fig. 4.
a is the flanged end piece or top as applied to a retort or other like opening
made in the way we consider most convenient; is the turned or true face against
which the eccentric cover g works, coming in contact with the face at the narrow
face, which bears all round, the face is formed so that the cover g may slide all
over the face without difficulty.
n, Fig. 1, is the eccentric shewn more clearly at Fig. 4, working in the cover g,
and kept in its place by a narrow ring 8, s, through which the screws t, t, pass. The
lever or hinged bar bis secured to the hinged lugs c in any convenient way. The
spring is fixed on the end of the lever or hinged bar b, which is caught or secured
by the latch f;d is the screw passing and working through the lever or hinged
bar b, and secured to the excentric on its inner end, motion is given to the lid
through the hand wheel e attached to the outer end. The spring is shewn in the
position it occupies, Fig. 1, when the door is first closed, then the hand wheel e is
turned, the eccentric causes the eccentric door or lid g to move, it scapes and turns
upon the face and the joint is made quite tight. When it is required to open the
lid or door the hand wheel e is reversed, the same action of motion and scraping is
again obtained, the latch is raised and the door or lid is easily and quickly opened
by pulling back the hand wheel e (the faces rarely if ever come together in exactly
the same places), to prevent radiation of heat in gas retorts and keep the retort
houses cool, thereby saving fuel and making it much easier for the workmen. We
line the inside of the retort head and lid with fire-clay or other non-conducting
material m, m, the lid or door has also a like lining m, this keeps the retort end
and lid much cooler and causes it to last longer. Where desired the lining or
covering can be applied outside the head and lid, as shewn at m, this enables the
inen to work with much greater comfort.
Figures 7, 10, and 15, shew doors, lids, valves, or coverings, especially constructed
to resist the action of acids, chemicals, &c.

page_text: is
In Fig. 7, a is the end of the vessel desired to be hermetically sealed; 9, 9,
the door or lid; b, b, the lever or bar; w, w, is a circular face or seating of lead,
tin, vulcanite, wood, gum, or other substance, capable of resisting the action of the
acid, gas, or fluid, to be confined by turning the hand wheel e, and screwing down
the lid a tight joint is easily and quickly secured.
In Fig. 10 the lid is made tight by a lever or cam joint y, the pressure with
which the lid is forced against the face can be adjusted by the screw d, which
can be screwed in or out as required, when the faces w, w, wear they can easily be
replaced.
Figure 15 shews the door or lid of a different shape, it is apparent that the form
of the door or lid may be round, oval, semicircular, or of any other convenient form.
Figures 17 and 18 shew how the joint may be made in another way.
Figure 6 is an arrangement of gas, steam, water, or other valve, arranged according
to this Invention. a, a, is the body of the case; k, l, is the face, against which the
lid or valve g is brought in contact, with the object of making a tight joint; d, d, is
the spindle or screw working through a stuffing box, and has motion communi-
cated to it by the hand wheel e; is the inner eccentric fastened to the spindle
or screw and working inside the eccentric shaped lid or door valve g, a coiled
spring allows a play of some inches and throws a pressure on the faces before
the screw d forces the valve face down upon the seat , the eccentric action as
before described scrapes and cleans the faces and secures a tight joint, a lid w
keeps the parts clean, and a supply of oil can be placed in the chamber to keep the
parts always lubricated and prevent the entrance of foreign matters.
Figures 12 and 13 shew an arrangement of valve where the screw alone is
eccentrically placed, and where motion is given over the faces although not so
effective as in Fig. 6 a fair result can be obtained very inexpensively.
Figures 9 and 14 are details of Fig. G.
Figures 11 and 16 show how the valve, as at Figs. 0 and 12, can be arranged if
it is desired to provide against corrosive or destructive action of the metals or
materials employed in the formation of the faces.
The form of the parts of this Invention it is obvious may be varied as circum-
stances may require, and we do not confine ourselves to the precise details or shape
of the parts as shewn in the Drawing, or as here described, as the same may be
considerably varied without departing from this Invention, but what we claim and
desire to be secured by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is―
1st. The combination of the several parts substantially as hercin-before described
and represented on the Drawings or any mere modification thereof.
2nd. The use of two eccentrics or their equivalents for giving an irregular and
varying motion to valves, doors, retort lids, and such like openings as herein-before
described and illustrated on Drawings.
3rd. The employment of springs or their equivalents for securing a scraping,
cleaning, and rubbing action between valves, doors, retort lids, and their faces, as
before described.
4th. The use of moveable scrapers and brushes as herein-before described.
5th. The method of forming joints capable of resisting corrosion as described and
shewn in Figs. 7 and 10; and
6th. The lining of retort lids and other doors subjected to great heat internally
and externally with non-conducting material, such as fire-clay, as and for the
purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Eglinton Anderson Gwynne on behalf
of myself and the said Henry Collinson, have hereunto set my hand and seal,
this Eighteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
JAMES EGLINTON A. GWYNNE. (L.S.)