Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Charging and Discharging Gas Retorts.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 24th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Charging and
Discharging Gas Retorts.
I, CHARLES WILLIAM LYON, of Gildersome, in the County of York, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention of improvements in machinery or apparatus for charging and
discharging gas retorts, has for object the performance of these operations with
less labour and at less cost than heretofore usual and consists
Firstly, of charging mechanism comprising a hopper at one end of a tube
or spout, such hopper being supplied with coal from other hoppers or shoots
which are kept supplied with coal, and having closed and hinged trap doors
and being located at a suitable elevation for the hopper of the said charging
mechanism to pass beneath them and which are opposite to the several tiers
of retorts respectively, that on the charging apparatus passing from one
retort to another and its hopper coming under one of the said shoots and
by such action having released the trap door thereof immediately over it thus
becomes automatically filled so as to be able to charge a retort without loss
of time. The said tube or spout is mounted upon a carriage in suchwise that it can
be readily placed in front of and passed into a retort at whatever height or position
it may be. Within this tube or spout I mount a screw which I cause to rotate and
to traverse or push the coal contained in the hopper into the retort commencing its
delivery therein at the rear or back end thereof and during such delivery the said
tube or spout is caused to gradually retire from said retort by suitably arranged
mechanism devised for that purpose.
Having charged one retort it can then be passed to others for a similar purpose.
For actuating the above apparatus I employ a suitable motor, by preference a
gas motor engine, which I combine with the above described apparatus in or on a
suitably arranged carriage, the whole being mounted upon rails passing in front of
a series of retorts, the apparatus is capable of being raised and lowered to suit tiers
of retorts.
For supplying the gas motor with gas and atmospheric air so as to permit of the
required locomotion of it and other mechanism to suit the various positions of the
retorts, and in order to obtain air in as pure a state as possible, I draw it from
outside of the retort house and by means of a suitable vessel about the length of
the retort house so constructed that on water or other liquid being supplied thereto
to a certain depth it forms two scaled cavities, one to contain gas and the other air.
This vessel is fixed horizontally and parallel with the rails upon which the charging
and discharging machines pass to and fro.
From the gas motor engine a pipe passes into each of the above sealed cavities
and are capable of travelling therein as the machine passes to and fro on the rails
and at the same time to receive a continuous supply of gas and air for the engine,
means being provided for the removal of water or other liquid that may become
deposited in the bends of the said pipes.
The water that forms the "seal" in the above-named vessel can be used for
keeping the cylinder of the gas engine cool and thereby dispense with the cold
water tank usually required with a gas engine.
The quantity of water in the aforesaid vessel I regulate by means of an automatic
valve or tap at one end and an overflow at the other so that a constant supply of
cold water is kept up.
Secondly For discharging a retort I employ a suitably constructed rake
having a to and fro movement in and out of the retort, and it may have one or

page_text: more heads and it is arranged by suitable mechanism that on entering a retort the
head or heads may swing backward and pass as near the crown of the retort as
possible but on the return stroke the head or heads drops or drop on to the coke
and draws it out.
:
The rake is mounted upon a suitably constructed carriage with mechanism and
a gas motor engine for actuating the same.
The said motor being supplied with gas and air in a similar manner to that above
referred to with respect to the charging apparatus. This discharging apparatus and
its motor is also capable of moving from one retort to another as required.
Dated this 24th day of February 1891.
CHARLES WILLIAM LYON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Charging and
Discharging Gas Retorts.
1, CHARLES WILLIAM LYON, of Gildersome in the County of York, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention of improvements in machinery or apparatus for charging and
discharging gas retorts has for object the performance of these operations with
less labour and at less cost than heretofore usual and consists
:―
Firstly Of charging mechanism comprising a hopper at one end of a tube or
spout, such hopper being supplied with coal from other hoppers or shoots which
are kept supplied with coal and having closed or hinged trap doors and being
located at a suitable elevation for the hopper of the said charging mechanism to
pass beneath them and which are opposite to the several tiers of retorts respectively,
that on the charging apparatas passing from one retort to another and its hopper
coming under one of the said shoots and by such action having released the trap
door thereof immediately over it thus becomes automatically filled so as to be able
to charge a retort without loss of time. The said tube or spout is mounted upon a
carriage in suchwise that it can be readily placed in front of and passed into a
retort at whatever height or position it may be. Within this tube or spout 1 mount
a suitable screw which I cause to rotate and to traverse or push the coal contained
in the hopper into the retort commencing its delivery therein at the rear or back
end thereof and during such delivery the said tube or spout is caused to
gradually retire from said retort by suitably arranged mechanism devised for that
purpose.
Having charged one retort it can then be passed to others for a similar
purpose.
For actuating the above apparatus I employ a suitable motor, by preference a
gas motor engine, which I combine with the above described apparatus in,or on a
suitably arranged carriage, the whole being mounted upon rails passing in front of
a series of retorts. The charging apparatus is capable of being raised and lowered
to suit tiers of retorts.
For supplying the gas motor with gas and atmospheric air so as to permit of the
required locomotion of it and other mechanism to suit the various positions of the
retorts and in order to obtain air in as pure a state as possible I draw it from
outside of the retort house and by means of a suitable vessel about the length.of
the retort house so constructed that on water or other liquid being supplied, thereto
to a certain depth it forms two sealed cavities, one to contain gas and the other
air. This vessel is fixed horizontally and parallel with the rails upon which the
charging and discharging machines pass to and fro.
From the gas motor engine a pipe passes into each of the above sealed cavities
and are capable of travelling therein as the machine passes to and fro on the rails

page_text: and at the same time to receive a continuous supply of gas and air for the engine,
means being provided for the removal of water or other liquid or substance that
may become deposited in the bends of the said pipes.
The water that forms the "seal" in the above named vessel can be used for
keeping the cylinder of the gas engine cool and thereby dispense with the cold
water tank usually required with a gas engine.
The quantity of water in the aforesaid vessel regulate by means of an automatic
valve or tap at one end and an overlow at the other so that a constant supply of
cold water is kept up.
Secondly For discharging a retort I employ a suitably and specially con-
structed rake having a to and fro movement in and out of the retort, and it may
have one or more heads and it is arranged by suitable mechanism that on entering
a retort the head or heads may swing backward and pass as near the crown of the
retort as possible but on the return stroke the head or heads drops or drop on to
the coke and draw it out.
The rake is mounted upon a suitably constructed carriage with mechanism and a
gas motor engine for actuating the same.
The said motor being supplied with gas and air in a similar manner to that above
referred to with respect to the charging apparatus..
The discharging apparatus and its motor is also capable of moving from one
retort to another as required.
In the annexed drawings the same letters and numerals refer to like parts in all
the figures.
Fig. 1, is a side elevation of the charging apparatus as seen mounted upon rails
in a retort house.
Fig. 2, is a back clevation looking in the direction of A, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, is a plan in part showing so much of the apparatus as is necessary to its
clucidation.
Fig. 4, is a side elevation of the discharging apparatus.
Fig. 5, is a back elevation, and
Fig. 6, a partial plan.
Figs. 7, 8 and 9, are details to an enlarged scale in side and back view and plan
of the carriage for the rake.
a, are the rails in the floor of the retort house upon which the apparata travel.
, the framework of each apparatus furnished with tram-wheels for taking on to
said rails. c, a gas motor engine, of which there is one to both the charging and
discharging apparatus and combined with their respective framework for actuating
the various required movements These motors are supplied with gas and air for
actuating them from a vessel d, fixed to the side of the retort house and which may
be of the same length as the house. This vessel when properly equipped and as
previously referred to forms two sealed cavities, one for gas and the other for air,
water being the separating and sealing medium. e, and are pipes for conveying
gas and air from the respective sealed cavities to the engine, these pipes are fitted
with plugs e 2 at their upper bend which can be removed to allow of the application
of a hand pump to clear the bends of liquid accumulating there. Cold water for
cooling the engine cylinders is also supplied from the said vessel d, by the circulating
pipes g. 9.
I cause the air with which the vessel is supplied to be obtained from
the atmosphere exterior to the retort house in order that it may be as pure as
possible.
The several pipes e, f, and g, are free to pass along the vessel d, as the apparatus
moves along the house from one retort to another. 1, is a hopper or shoot, there
being one opposite to each set of retorts, these hoppers are constantly supplied
with coal and, are each provided with a swing bottom or trap door 1, and are
opened by the tappet 2, as the apparatus takes its place beneath it ready for
charging a retort. From the said hopper h, coal is shot through a conductor h 3,
into a hopper or magazine i, in sufficient quantity for a charge. This hopper i, to
which the charging tube or spout j, is attached, is fitted at its rear with a carriage k,

page_text: and mounted upon wheels 3, that run in channel guides 62, of the framing as the
tube or spout j, enters in and retires from a retort. To the carriage k, the ends of
a chain or cord l, are connected which then pass over guide pulleys m,
and n,
and around a drum o, of a windlass on the shaft p, on the upper part of said shaft
is a worm wheel g, actuated by a worm », on the shaft s, which receives a reversible
motion from the drum t, on the engine shaft through the medium of cross and open
straps, and, taking alternately on the fast pulley, governed by the strap
shipper 11, commanded by hand, this arrangement enables the charging tube or
spout j, to be passed into a retort and withdrawn therefrom as the charging takes
place. Within the said tube or spout, is mounted a creeper screw, upon the
shaft y, gear wheels z, z, connect the shaft y, to the shaft a 1, this runs parallel
with the tube or spout j, and is grooved the whole length, the wheel =, upon it
has a feather taking therein and is thus capable of sliding thereon as well as
being driven thereby while the tube or spout j, is moving end wise. The shaft a 1,
is prolonged rearward and provided with a worm wheel 1, through which it
receives motion from a worm cl, on the shaft d 1, on the upper part of which is
another worm-wheel e 1, driven by the worm 1, on the shaft g 1, which is driven
from the drum h4, on the engine shaft by the strap il, on to fast and loose
pulleys 2, and commanded by the strap shipper 1, which enables the rotary
motion of the creeper screw to be started or stopped at pleasure. It must be
understood that the tube or spout j, must first be filled by placing sufficient coal
into the hopper i, then setting the screw a in motion to traverse it into the tube or
spout.
I
The apparatus is now ready for charging the retorts one after another as above
described. Means for moving the apparatus on the tram rails from one retort to
another at any level and in either direction are provided, being had from the
pulley 1, on the engine shaft to the pulley k 2, in connection with a bevil pinion ",
that takes into and drives in opposite directions the wheels 1 and m 2, which run
freely on the shaft n 1, each of the wheels m 1, and m 2, is connected to the shaft n 1,
at pleasure by the lever p 1, and clutch q1, sliding on and connecting the said
wheels m 1, and m 2 alternately to the shaft, n1 by means of a feather in said
clutch, thus turning the tram wheels o 1, o 2, at the other part of the framing
being carrying wheels only. For raising and lowering the charging tube or
spout j, to the various tiers of retorts, the tube or spout together with the hopper i,
is mounted in a sliding frame r 1, at each end, these are guided vertically by the
principal framework b, and provided with hoisting gear (actuated by an attendant),
consisting of handle s 1, worm 1, worm wheel 1, shaft 1, carrying windlass
. pulleys 1, chains or cords 1, connected thereto pass over guide pulleys y 1, to
the said sliding frames » 1.
ti
Such parts of the discharging machine as are not common to both are herein-
after referred to, namely. The carriage a 2, Figs 4, 5, and 6, (shown to an
enlarged scale in side view in Fig. 7, in back view in Fig. 8, and in plan in Fig. 9,)
this carriage is provided with axles 3 and 64 and runners 65, taking into channel
guides 62, (these are similar to the parts 62 in the charging machine). Within
the said carriage a 2, and upon its axles 63 and 4, I mount another carriage c.2,
to which the discharging rake c 3, is fixed. The mounting of the carriage c 2 is
such that as the part of the rope l', from the windlass drum o, that drags the
rake c 3, into a retort passes under the pulley c4 on the rear axle 4, then upward
to its connecting point co, of the carriage c 2, pulls the rear part of it downward,
the axle 63 acting in this instance as a fulcrum and provision being made for this
movement by elongating or slotting the eyes in e2 through which the axle b4
passes, causes the front end of the rake c3 to be raised previous to and as it enters
a retort; the return movement of said rake is effected by the other part 2 of
either the same or a separate rope in connection with the windlass drum o, this also
passes beneath the pulley c4, thence upward and over the pulley c 6, and down-
ward to its connection with the rake carriage e 2 at e 7, thus raising its rear part and
causing the head or heads c 8, of the rake to press upon and withdraw the coke,

page_text: the head or heads d are so mounted that it or they are capable of swinging back-
ward to facilitate entrance into a retort and over the coke and on the return
movement to take the position shewn in the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In machinery or apparatus for charging and discharging gas retorts the
method of supplying coal to such retorts by means of a hopper or shoot h,
having a swinging or trap bottom 1, a conductor 3, a hopper or magazine
and tube or spout, a creeper-screw, within said tube or spout and means for
advancing the tube or spout j, into a retort and retiring the same, actuating the
creeper screw as the tube or spout retires and during such retirement delivering
coal equally in said retort, combined with the usual means of moving the apparatus
from one retort to another substantially as described and illustrated.
2. In machinery or apparatus for charging and discharging gas retorts the
method, in combination with means for advancing the discharging rake into a
retort and for the retirement of the same, of raising the rake head or heads
previous to such advancement and for lowering the head or heads before or as
retiring so as to press into and draw out the coke substantially as described and
illustrated.
3. In machinery or apparatus for charging and discharging gas retorts, the use
of the vessel d, having two water sealed cavities, one for gas and the other for
air, the supplying of gas and air from the respective cavities of the said vessel d,
to the gas motors e, for actuating the various movements of the hereinbefore
described machinery wheresover located in the retort house by the supply pipes e
and, being able to pass along the said vessel d, in the respective cavities. The
use in the said pipes e and, of plugs e 2, to facilitate cleaning thereof. Also
supplying the said motors with cold water for cooling the cylinders thereof by
means of the circulating pipes 9, 9 being capable of passing along the aforesaid
vessel d, between the said sealed cavities and dispensing with the usual water tank
for each motor for such cooling purpose, substantially as described and shown.
4. The general combination of parts constituting such machinery or apparatus
as hereinabove referred to for charging and discharging gas retorts, constructed,
arranged and operating substantially as described and shown in the drawings
annexed.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1891.
THOMAS EDWIN CRAVEN,
For the Applicant.