IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING OR MOVING GRAIN AND FOR WEIGHING AND MOVING GRAIN
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Stephen Wells Wood, of Cornwall, in the County of
Orange, and State of New York, United States of America, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING OR MOVING
GRAIN AND FOR WEIGHING AND MOVING GRAIN."
Sealed the 6th August 1867, and dated the 11th June 1867.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Stephen Wells Wood at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Decla-
ration, on the 11th June 1867, pursuant to the 9th Section of the
Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, STEPHEN
WELLS WOOD, of Cornwall, in the County of Orange, and State of New
York, United States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING OR MOVING GRAIN AND FOR WEIGHING AND MOVING
GRAIN," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have
made solemn Declaration that I am the true and first Inventor thereof.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Stephen Wells Wood, do hereby declare
that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and seal, fully
describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, in and by the following statement :-

page_text: In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a
pump, reservoir, and scales or weighing apparatus, with conveying hose or
pipes for conveying grain to and from said chamber or scales; Fig. 2 is a
vertical longitudinal section of the same, shewing the interior arrangements;
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a pump or its equivalent, and a reservoir in
connection with scales or weighing apparatus if desired, for the introduction
of grain into a pipe or passage conveying compressed or forced air; Fig. 4 is
a horizontal section of a reservoir, Fig. 3, which also may include scales or
weighing apparatus divided, so that while the grain is being forced from one
compartment through a hose or pipe, the opposite compartment may be filled
or filling, by which means grain may be carried continuously through the con-
veying or delivery pipe; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one means of
introducing a current of air independent of the opening or passage, by which
the grain is introduced into the receiving pipe; Fig. 6 is another method
of effecting the same purpose; Fig. 7 is a vertical section of a modified
construction of the reservoir (B), Figs. 1, 2; Figs. 8 and 9, views of
modifications of the conveying and receiving pipes. Like letters indicate
similar parts in all the Figures.
Let (A) represent an air pump constructed and arranged in connection
with a reservoir (B), scales, or weighing apparatus (H), and conveying hose
or pipes (C, D,) so that a partial vacuum may be formed in the reservoir (B)
by exhausting the air therefrom to fill it with grain through the pipe (C), and
after being weighed to allow the grain to pass out therefrom through the
conveying pipe (D) of its own gravity, or expelled by compressed air from the
pump. To fill the reservoir (B) with grain the pump (A) is connected
therewith by means of a sliding exhaust pipe (e) or its equivalent so as to
produce sufficient vacuum therein to lift and bring the grain through the
receiving bose or pipe (C), allowing the air exhausted from the reservoir (B)
to escape through a pipe (f) opened or disconnected; but which when con-
nected leads back from the air pump (A) into the reservoir (B). While the
reservoir (B) is being filled with grain valves (g, p,) are closed so as to
shut the pipe (f) and the passage into the conveying pipe (D), leaving com-
munication only through the pipe (C). When it is desired to empty the
reservoir (B) and to convey the grain after being weighed therein if desired to
another place the exhaust pipe (e) is disconnected from and the compressing
pipe (f) connected with the reservoir (B); the valves (9,p,) are then opened
and the grain forced out through the conveying hose or pipe (D) by com-
pressed air from the pump (A), the pump being supplied with air through
the disconnected pipe (e); or the grain may be allowed to pass out of the

page_text: reservoir through the conveying pipe (D) of its own gravity. To allow a free
passage of air and at the same time to prevent the grain from passing into the
pump through the exhaust pipe (e) while the reservoir is being filled by
causing a partial vacuum therein a sieve or perforated partition (L) is
arranged (in this instance at one side) in the reservoir, which allows air to
pass freely through it, but retains the grain by itself, leaving a space or
chamber (w) between the pump and the grain; with this sieve, perforated
partition, or its equivalent, separating the grain from the air pump (A) the
reservoir may be filled by a continuous partial exhaustion of the air therein,
and the grain discharged therefrom at pleasure by compressed air. To convey
grain from the reservoir (B) through a hose or conveying pipe (D) the throat
(V) is divided by the perforated or sieve partition (L), part of the pipe opening
into the air space (w) and part opening into the grain compartment (x), by
which arrangement a separate current of air is constantly passing into the
pipe or hose (D) simultaneously with the grain, and thus distributes the grain
equally through the pipe (D) and carries or conveys it continuously through
said pipe; this introduction of a separate or independent current of air into
the conveying pipe to commingle with the grain is of essential importance,
since it is necessary to convey a proportionally large bulk of air through the
pipe with the grain in order to sufficiently lighten the passing stream or
current of commingled air and grain, and diminish the pressure to convey the
same. Ordinarily sufficient air cannot enter in the interstices of the grain
for the purpose, and consequently the passage is stopped, being choked by
the grain, and the apparatus would become inoperative; and the greater the
height or distance to which the grain is to be conveyed, or the less the
pressure of air at command, the greater the proportion of air required to
commingle with the grain; hence it may be desirable to regulate or adjust
the size of the independent air or induction opening in order to vary the
amount of air introduced with the grain under such varying circumstances;
the pressure of air behind the grain forces the same into the pipe (D) from
the reservoir, and a quantity of air enters with the grain, but as before stated
ordinarily not sufficient for conveying the grain.
A possible but very imperfect modification of the means of applying this
principle of reducing the proportional amount of grain to be introduced into
the pipe with the air is indicated in Fig. 8, and consists in contracting the
nozzle or induction opening of the pipe as compared in size with the main part
thereof, thereby limiting the quantity of grain that can be forced into the pipe ;
but this is very deficient practically, since not enough air can enter with the
grain to work the pipe to its full capacity.

page_text: Instead of dividing the throat (Y) of the pipe (D), as shown in Fig. 2,
the said pipe may be branched as shown in Fig. 7, one branch leading into
the grain compartment (a) and one branch leading into the air chamber (w);
the air branch may be connected directly with the condensing pipe (f) of the
air pump (A) if preferred. This same principle applies in lifting the grain
and causing it to pass into and through the exhaust hose or pipe (c), and one
method of adapting it practically is to form an opening (i) at or near the end
(Fig. 5) which receives the grain; this opening admits an independent con-
tinuous current of air into the pipe or hose with the grain, distributing it
equally therewith, and enabling it to convey the same into the reservoir (B)
continuously. Or air may be admitted into the receiving pipe or hose (c) at
the end or opening which admits the grain by covering a portion thereof with
a perforated plate or sieve, as represented in Fig. 6. Or the principle may
be imperfectly applied even without the perforated plate by taking care only
partially to immerse the nozzle or opening in the grain, so as to allow a free
passage to air above the same. With the ordinary shape of nozzle this is
hardly practicable, but by employing a bell-shaped flaring or equivalent
enlargement of the nozzle or opening, as indicated in Fig. 9, this method may
be practicable under some circumstances, though imperfect as compared with
the method first described.
An important desideratum in the use of my Invention is to introduce grain
into a conveying pipe or passage, through which the air is being forced at
any required distance from the pump or equivalent, which forces the air
through the same. I accomplish this purpose by one method as follows:-
Figs. 3 and 4 represent a reservoir (R) (including scales or other weighing
apparatus if desired) for receiving grain, divided into two compartments and
connected with a conveying hose or pipe, through which air is forced. The
pipe divides from the air conveying portion into the branches (I, J,) which
extend respectively through or under the compartments (t,1,) of the reservoir,
and then unite again into one grain conveying portion (o); these branches are
provided with shifting valves (s, u,) so that while the grain is being admitted
into the pipe from one compartment the opposite compartment may be filled
or filling with grain in any convenient manner. The grain is admitted from
the compartments (t, 1,) into the branch pipes (I, J,) respectively through
openings (r,,) in said branch pipes, and there commingling with the air
in mediately conveyed into the grain conveying portion (o) of the pipe, to be
distributed and carried through the same continuously. This reservoir may
be placed at any desired point to receive grain between where the air is
supplied and where the grain makes its exit; it may be varied in its con

page_text: struction in many ways, and provided with perforated partitions or sieves if
deemed advisable; but I have represented here only one form of construction
as sufficient to illustrate my Invention. Double reservoirs and double scales
or weighing apparatus may be arranged, and the connecting pipes (e, f,)
so constructed as to be shifted simultaneously into each reservoir, so that
while one reservoir is being filled with grain the other may be discharging,
making the movement of the grain continuous. A modification of or sub-
stitute for the perforated partition or screen (L) in the reservoir (B) may be
employed by conveying the air from the reservoir to the pump (A) through
or by a passage located high enough above or so shielded from the point
where the receiving pipe (c) discharges into the reservoir as to insure the
falling of the grain below, and not to allow the grain to enter the exhaust
passage. In this case the reservoir may be somewhat higher than with a
perforated partition (L); and the chamber (w) may have the whole width of
the resorvoir, or be narrowed to a mere pipe or equivalent passage for the air,
and the condensed air passage from the pump to the conveying pipe (D) may
be separated from or communicate with said exhaust passage.
Various arrangements may be made for screening the grain and attached to
this apparatus, and grain may be screened in its passage through either or
both of the conveying pipes (C, D,) if desired.
Self-acting and shifting valves of any construction may be employed if
preferred to change the reservoir from a partial vacuum chainber to a
compressed air chamber.
In the use of my Invention it is essential that the receiving pipe should be
adjustable to different positions readily, and thus be able to take up the grain
from any location required while the apparatus continues in operation; to
this end I make the receiving pipe (c) flexible, say of india-rubber or leather, as
represented; or the pipe might be jointed to effect the same purpose, though
imperfectly. The same requisite is desirable in the conveying pipe (D),
though not so essential, in order that the grain may be conveyed to any place
required; and I make the pipes flexible or jointed so as to be adjustable or
movable in position.
This Invention is applicable to the purpose of conveying other finely
divided material as well as grain.
What I claim as my Invention is elevating or moving grain through a
pipe or passage by means of air drawn or forced through the same, substantially
in the manner set forth.
I also claim the combination of a grain conveying pipe or passage, through
which air is drawn or forced by partial exhaustion; a grain conveying pipe

page_text: or passage, through which air is drawn or forced by compression; and an air
pump, or equivalent device for producing the exhaustion and compression of
the air for the purpose of elevating or moving grain.
I also claim a reservoir or chamber, into which the grain is drawn or forced
by the movement of air passing into the same to fill a partial vacuum
produced therein, and from which the grain may be driven or forced by
compressed air in combination with an air pump or equivalent air rarifier and
condenser, for the purpose above specified.
I also claim a weighing apparatus or scales in combination with a reservoir
or chamber, and an air pump or equivalent, substantially as and for the
purpose above described.
I also claim a perforated partition or equivalent screen, or
separating the air and grain in the reservoir or chamber, for the purpose above
specified.
I also claim the separate or independent introduction of air into a grain
conveying pipe or passage, in addition to that introduced with the grain, by
means above described or the equivalent thereof.
I also claim introducing grain into a conveying pipe or passage while air is
passing through the same by means substantially as described.
I also claim a flexible or adjustable grain conveying pipe or hose in com-
bination with an air pump or equivalent air rarifier or condenser.
In witness whereof, I, the said Stephen Wells Wood, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Second day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
STEPHEN WELLS WOOD. (L.S.)
Witness,
JONATHAN MARSHALL.