Improvements in and relating to Appliances for Elevating and Discharging or Conveying Grain and the like
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
66
Improvements in and relating to Appliances for Elevating and
Discharging or Conveying Grain and the like "..
We,JOHN HAVILAND, of 2 St. Giles Square, in the Town and County of Northampton,
Solicitor, FREDERICK HENRY HAVILAND, of St. Peters Chambers, Bournemouth, Hamp-
shire, Solicitor, and JOHN FARMER, of 147 St. Andrews Road, in the County of the
City of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of our invention to be as
follows;-
The object of this invention is to remedy certain defects which exist in the present.
system of elevating and discharging grain by pneumatics.
In elevating, for instance, from the hold of a grain barge and discharging into an
ocean steam or other vessel, a machinery barge containing the requisite pneumatic
appliance is preferably placed, when working, between the grain barge and the
steamer.
This machinery barge is generally fitted with air pumping engines, connected by
pipes to a large receiver or vacuum chamber overhead, some 40 or 60 feet or thereby
(to suit circumstances) from the water, with grain suction and discharging pipe or
pipes in connection with its lower end, the suction pipe being led from it, on one
side down to and amongst the grain in the barge for emptying same and the discharge
pipe led to and over the hold of a steamer or other vessel for filling. The air pumping
engines on being set to work cause a partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber and
draw into it air and grain up the grain suction pipe.
At under side of vacuum chamber an automatic arrangement of valves has hereto-
fore been generally employed, which we consider a faulty arrangement, to allow of
the grain being discharged therefrom without at same time admitting outside air to
impair the vacuum. We employ instead, a driven revolving wheel valve with fittings
of a novel description to effect this purpose as afterwards described.
Heretofore the air pumping engine has been impaired and expense and nuisance
created through dust laden air being drawn into the pumps. By our improvements
we obviate this entirely and cleanse the air by placing a liquid washer or purifier
between the overhead vacuum chamber described, and any other intermediate dust
collecting vessel, and the air pumps, so that air, freed from all dust impurities only.
enters them.
In order to do this latter, we form a vessel preferably round and tapering towards
the under side where a discharge cock or valve is fitted. A sludge and manhole
door is also fitted for running off any deposit, and for admitting to inside.

page_text: A tank smaller in diameter than the mouth of the tapering vessel is dipped into it
some little distance down, which is closed above, but open at bottom with a turned in
ledge. The top of tank stands some distance above the tapering vessel and the
tapering vessel and the tank are made air tight by a plate uniting both. An air
outlet pipe is led from the top of tank to the air pumps, and an inlet pipe from the
overhead vacuum cistern, is fitted to the top or side of tapering vessel. Water or
other liquid is let into this vessel through a pipe inside the tapering vessel and
surrounding the tank, and having small holes bored all round on its under side for
purpose of washing vessel down, and which seals by say half an inch or more the open
bottom of the inside tank, leaving an annular air space above. On the pumps being
put into action and a partial vacuum formed in the tank above the water, the dust
laden air in the annular air space is drawn under and past the ledge, and flows up
through the water which retains the impurities. These are periodically run off
through the bottom valve. Sight holes or gauge glasses are fitted, one on each side,
preferably, to show the level of water.
Plating perforated with holes or wire netting may be placed amongst the water
resting on the ledge to distribute or mix the air intimately with the water on its
passage through. This washer may vary in shape from that described.
In order to allow as little of the dust as possible to find its way with the suction
air from the vacuum chamber to the washer described, we joint inside of the vacuum
chamber an internal pipe (of larger diameter than the air suction pipes) reaching
nearly to its bottom, and fitted with a valve at its under end for opening and closing
by suitable rods and levers. This internal pipe passes up through top of vacuum
chamber for some distance, and has fitted to one side of it, the suction pipe leading
down to washer and pump; while at opposite side a suction pipe is also fitted, one
end communicating with top of vacuum chamber the other jointed and led into and
bent down inside of this internal pipe for some distance to deflect and project the dust
in the air to its bottom, while it is being drawn through by pump. At suitable
intervals of time the valve at bottom is opened to allow of the trapped dust falling
into the discharging wheel valve, after described, and delivered amongst the grain.
Instead of as heretofore using the common double or other automatic valve
arrangement for discharging the grain from the vacuum chamber as already mentioned
which we consider too delicate, we use a revolving discharging wheel valve, driven by
any suitable gear and so combined with other novel parts as to form a better and
more practical arrangement than heretofore, inasmuch as it will keep tighter, thus
preventing air from passing it and impairing the vacuum in the vacuum chamber, he
less liable to jam through dust getting between the working faces, and also save
breakage of grain. To accomplish these objects we form a tapering grain receiving
receptacle to which the elevating grain pipe or pipes are attached and bolt it to the
under side of the vacuum chamber. Under a narrow opening at bottom of sufficient
width to allow fully the maximum quantity of grain being elevated to pass through,
we form a concave metal surface which is truly bored out to allow of the wheel valve
working truly in.
This revolving wheel valve consists of a round cylinder with closed ends having in
its body say six or eight or other number of receptacles or pockets, formed by vanes
or arms springing radially, or they may be curved, from its centre for the reception
of the grain. The concavity in which the wheel valve works may be extended to
half its diameter but preferably less. This allows it, should dust or other matter
enter between the working surfaces, to free itself and not lock, and to provide
for this we place spiral or other cushioning springs or material under the bearings of
spindle of wheel valve which allows it to yield downwards on any abnormal pressure
arising. When the wheel valve revolves and its vanes pass the opening through which
the grain enters from the receptacle above to fill the spaces between them, some
grain in the usual way of working is unavoidably crushed by the shearing of it
between the edges of vanes coming in close contact with the metal forming the side
of opening. We avoid this by fixing a thin metal plate inside the tapering grain
receive the entire breadth of the opening, but the under end of this plate we keep

page_text: say inch or more above the surface of the vanes of wheel valve and say about an inen
or thereby from side of opening to which it is fixed, so that the vanes on passing it
do not shear the grain. The vanes must always travel in direction, so that in passing
the opening they pass the plate last, and the speed should be regulated that each
receptacle between the vanes is not entirely filled before the next one comes round in
order to prevent crushing of the grain.
Instead of fixing on a metal plate as described, a projecting piece may be cast in
the tapering grain receiver for the same purpose.
As the wheel turns round the grain falls from it by gravity into a chute from whence
it is conducted by piping to steamer or other vessel being loaded.
The number of vanes in wheel are proportioned to give proper lap so that one more
are in contact with solid metal on each side of the grain opening when any vane is
under the opening, thus preventing air rushing in to the vacuum chamber.
To prevent air entering at the circumference of wheel valve between its ends and
the concave surface of grain receiver in which it works. We attach to the metal of
receiver a flap of indiarubber or like material on each side, which presses against the
turned ends of wheel valve and keeps it tight, or carefully made and adjusted
metal plates may be substituted.
Instead of having the inserted plate as described above, to prevent breakage of
grain we may dispense with it and form the vanes with a pronounced curve
particularly at their points so as in passing the opening, instead of the particles of
grain being shorn they will be as it were lifted up. We are aware there is nothing
new in making such a wheel but we are not aware that it has been used fitted into
the concavity as described and with springs or elastic material under the bearings to
keep it always up to its working face and prevent locking and at same time to allow
of its yielding to temporary obstruction. To still better prevent the breakage of
grain it will be an advantage however to have the inserted plate here also.
To admit air to the under end of grain elevating pipes immersed in the grain and
connected to the vacuum chamber above, for the purpose of carrying the grain, a
sleeve or outer pipe is generally placed round the elevating pipe at its lower end
reaching a little higher up that the grain leaving an annular opening all round for
the air entering and being drawn up with the grain to the vacuum chamber. As
varying quantities of air are requisite for the different kinds of grain we form the
outer sleeve with an inward turned up edge its diameter being preferably the same as
the elevating pipe or it may be less. The outer diameter of sleeve is a few inches
greater. The elevating pipe we make preferably bell mouthed at bottom and by
pushing the sleeve up or down we contract or widen the air space and at same
time incline the current of air in its proper direction. This contrivance is formed
very similar to the nozzle of an air blast injector, or this may be reversed, by placing
round about the elevating pipe an adjustable conical piece or plate which will admit
a regulated quantity of air by fixing it up and down in any desired position in or over
the open top of a fixed sleeve.
Flexible pipes are required particularly at lower end for elevating the grain from
different parts of barge. It is common to fix the maximum lengths of piping
together, flexible and otherwise, at the start of the operation to save loss of time in
jointing and unjointing when work is going on, but this is a loss of power and an
unnecessary wear of pipes. We join one or two lengths of flexible pipes together
with air and grain inlet contrivance at bottom and slide them telescopically over the
thin metal elevating pipes above and make them air tight by a usual light stuffing
box at top or we may form a thin " stocking of indiarubber at top with a stout
indiarubber ring round its mouth moulded of less diameter than the pipe it encircles
to prevent air getting past. This contrivance allows the indiarubber pipe easily to
fall by its weight as the grain is being drawn away and the ring is easily rolled back
and flapped over the outside of indiarubber pipe in order to again telescope it.
It is clear that the part of indiarubber piping drawn past the inside metal one would
be free to be bent about in any direction amongst the grain in the hold. Small
pulley blocks would be attached to pipes for hauling up and down.
"

page_text: In order to make a flexible indiarubber pipe suitable for the above we take
complete rings of steel or other metal of round, square, dovetail or other section and
in forming the pipe place them on a mandrel at short distances apart and surround
and bed them entirely in indiarubber to a thickness desired according to the kind of
work required. Layers of canvas and rubber and the usual spiral wire may be on
outside in the usual manner, the object in putting on rings of steel is to retain the
shape of pipe for telescoping and stand wear, and further, in order to make a grain
elevating pipe which shall be flexible, and of metal, to stand wear be easily repaired
and less costly than indiarubber piping as described. We form round tapering
pieces of preferably thin steel piping in short lengths, having a flange at the larger
end. The smaller end of one pipe is entered into the larger of the other, say from
1" to 1" and the pipes are prevented being drawn apart by four chains with hook
bolts passed through the flanges of each thus allowing the one to telescope somewhat
into the other or be twisted to an angle.
By having a number of such short pieces of piping fitted together in this way, a
flexible pipe is easily made to take the form of a bend, and be easily drawn into
different positions.
In order to make an air tight joint between the larger diameter of one pipe and
the smaller of the other, a flange of indiarubber is moulded the diameter of flange on
pipe, having a hole in centre, with a preferably stiffening core round about it, of
smaller diameter than the pipe.
The core is stretched and sprung over the pipe at its smatter end (the chains being
unscrewed to allow of this) which ensures a perfectly tight joint round it. The
screws at each end of chains are then passed through the flanges of pipes and the
indiarubber joint flanges with iron washers all round on outside of rubber joints, and
screwed up.
A perfectly air tight and flexible joint is thus made between the two
pipes. The indiarubber flange we make of insertion outside and inside the bolt holes
to prevent dragging and the inner part of pure indiarubber to allow for stretch,
Dated the 26th January 1898.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan St., Glasgow, Agents.
"Improvements in and relating to Appliances for Elevating and
Discharging or Conveying Grain and the like".
We, JOHN HAVILAND, of 2, St. Giles Square, in the Town and County of
Northampton, Solicitor; FREDERICK HENRY HAVILAND, of St. Peters Chambers,
Bournemouth, Hampshire, Solicitor, and JoHN FARMER, of 147 St. Andrews Road,
in the County of the City of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of our
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say:--
The object of this invention is to remedy certain defects which exist in the present
system of elevating and discharging grain by pneumatics.
And in order that our said invention and the manner of carrying same into
practice may be properly understood, we have hereunto appended a sheet of
explanatory drawings in which the same reference letters are used to denote like
parts in the several figures where shown. Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation
showing our complete improvements in operation. Figure 2 is a detached longi-
tudinal section of the wheel valve and fittings. Figure 3 is a detached transverse
section of this valve, Figure 4 an end elevation of same, and Figure 5 a sectional

page_text: view at right angles. Figure 6 is a detached view showing the spring bearings for
spindle of valve. Figure 7 is a detached view showing the arrangement of piping in
grain laden vessel to be discharged, Figure 8 is an inverted plan view of same, and
Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional elevation showing the air regulating device.
Figure 10 is a section of the rubber piping with internal metallic rings, and
Figure 11 a view of the rubber jointed pipes.
Referring to these drawings:-
In elevating, for instance, from the hold of a grain barge A and discharging into a
cargo or ocean steam or other vessel B a machinery barge C containing the requisite
pneumatic appliance is preferably placed, when working, between the grain barge A
and the steamer B.
This machinery barge C is generally fitted with air pumping engines D connected
by pipes a to a large receiver on vacuum chamber E overhead, some 40 or 60 feet or
thereby to suit circumstances-from the water, with grain suction and discharging
pipe or pipes in connection with its lower end, the suction pipe being led from it,
one side down to and amongst the grain in the barge A for emptying the latter,
and the discharge pipes led to and over the hold of a steamer or other vessel B for
filling. The air pumping engines D on being set to work cause a partial vacuum in
the vacuum chamber E and draw into it air and grain up the grain suction pipes bbl.
At under side of vacuum chamber an automatic arrangement of valves has hereto-
fore been generally employed-which we consider a faulty arrangement-to allow of
the grain being discharged therefrom without at same time admitting outside air to
impair the vacuum. We employ instead, a driven revolving wheel valve F with
fittings of a novel description to effect this purpose as afterwards described.
Heretofore the air pumping engine has been impaired and
expense and
nuisance created through dust laden air being drawn into the pumps. By our
improvements we obviate this entirely and cleanse the air by placing a liquid washer
or purifier G between the overhead vacuum chamber E described (or any other inter-
mediate dust collecting vessel), and the air pumps D, so that air, freed from all dust
impurities only enters them.
In order to do this latter, we form a vessel G preferably round and tapering towards
the underside where a discharged cock or valve is fitted at G¹. An ordinary sludge and
manhole door not shown is also fitted for running off any deposit, and for admitting to
inside.
A tank H smaller in diameter than the mouth of the tapering vessel G is dipped into
it some little distance down, which is closed above, but open at bottom with a turned
in ledge. The top of tank H stands some distance above the tapering vessel G and the
tapering vessel and the tank are made air tight by a plate H' uniting both. Air outlet
pipes are led from the top of tank H to the air pumps D and inlet pipes « from the
overhead vacuum cistern E are fitted to the top or side of tapering vessel G. Water
or other liquid is let into this vessel through a pipe not shown inside the tapering
vessel G and surrounding the tank, and having small holes bored all round on its
under side for the purpose of washing vessel down, and which seals by say half an
inch or more the open turned in edge of the inside tank, leaving an annular air
space H2 above. On the pumps being put into action and a partial vacuum formed
in the tank above the water, the dust laden air in the annular space H is drawn under
and past the ledge, and flows up through the water which retains the impurities.
These are periodically run off through the bottom valve G¹. Sight holes or gauge
glasses may be fitted, one on each side, to show the level of the water.
Plating perforated with holes or wire netting may be placed amongst the water
resting on the ledge to distribute or mix the air intimately with the water on its
passage through. This washer may vary in shape from that described.
In order to allow as little of the dust as possible to find its way with the suction air
from the vacuum chamber E to the washer G described, we joint inside of the vacuum
chamber E an internal pipe E¹ (of larger diameter than the air suction pipes) with
open lower end, reaching nearly to its bottom, and fitted with a valve at E2 on its
under end for opening and closing by suitable rods and levers, but this valve may be

page_text: dispensed with. This internal pipe E passes up through top of vacuum
chamber E for some distance, and has fitted to one side of it, the suction pipe a
leading down to washer G and pump D, while at opposite side a suction pipe is
also fitted, one end communicating with top of vacuum chamber E the other jointed
and led into and bent down inside of this internal pipe E' for some distance to deflect
and project the dust in the air to its bottom, while it is being drawn through by pump
as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. At suitable intervals of time the valve E at
bottom is opened to allow of the trapped dust falling into the discharging wheel
valve Fafter described, and delivered amongst the grain.
Instead of as heretofore using the common double or other automatic valve
arrangement for discharging the grain from the vacuum chamber E as already
mentioned which we consider too delicate, we use a revolving discharging wheel
valve F driven by any suitable gear and so combined with other novel parts so to
form a better and more practical arrangement than heretofore, inasmuch as it will
keep tighter, thus preventing air from passing it and impairing the vacuum in the
vacuum chamber E be less liable to jamb through dust getting between the working
faces, and also save breakage of grain. To accomplish these objects we form a
tapering grain receiving receptacle E³ to which the elevating grain pipe or pipes b
are attached and bolt it to the under side of the vacuum chamber E. Under a narrow
opening Fat bottom of sufficient width to allow fully the maximum quantity of
grain being elevated to pass through, we form a concave metal surface which is
truly bored out to allow of the wheel valve F working truly in.
This revolving wheel valve F consists of a round cylinder with closed ends having
in its body say six or eight or other number of receptacles or pockets formed by
vanes or arms f springing radially, or they may be curved, from its centre for the
reception of the grain. The concavity in which the wheel valve works may be
extended to half its diameter but preferably less. This allows it, should dust or other
matter enter between the working surfaces, to free itself and not lock, and to provide
for this we place spiral or other cushioning springs g or material under the bearings
of spindle F³ of wheel valve which allows it to yield downwards on any abnormal
pressure arising. When the wheel valve F revolves and its vanes f¹ pass the
opening through which the grain enters from the receptacle above to fill the spaces
between them, some grain in the usual way of working is unavoidably crushed by the
shearing of it between the edges of vanes coming in contact with the metal forming
the side of opening. We avoid this by fixing a thin metal plate h inside the tapering
grain receiver E³ the entire breadth of the opening, but the under end of this plate
we keep say inch or more above the surface of the vanes f¹ of wheel valve F and say
about an inch or thereby from side of opening to which it is fixed, so that the vanes
on passing it do not shear the grain. The vanes f¹ must always travel in direction,
so that in passing the opening they pass the plate last as indicated by the arrows
and the speed should be regulated that each receptacle between the vanes is not
entirely filled before the next one comes round in order to prevent crushing of the
grain.
Instead of fixing on a metal plate has described, a projecting piece may be cast in
the tapering grain receiver E³ for the same purpose.
As the wheel F turns round the grain falls from it by gravity into a chute c¹ from
whence it is conducted by piping c to steamer B or other vessel being loaded.
The number of vanes in wheel are proportioned to give proper lap so that one or
more are in contact with solid metal on each side of the grain opening when any
vane is under the opening, thus preventing air rushing in to the vacuum chamber E.
To prevent air entering at the circumference of wheel valve F between its ends and
the concave surface F of grain receiver in which it works, we attach to the metal of
receiver a flap F of indiarubber or like material on each side, which presses against
the turned ends of wheel valve F and keeps it tight, or carefully made and adjusted
metal plates may be substituted.
Instead of having the inserted plate h described above, to prevent breakage of grain
we may dispense with it and form the vanes fl with a pronounced curve particularly

page_text: at their points so as to passing the opening F¹, instead of the particles of grain being
shorn they will be as it were lifted up. We are aware there is nothing new in making
such a wheel but we are not aware that it has been used fitted into the concavity as
described and with springs or elastic material under the bearings to keep it always
up to its working face and prevent locking and at same time to allow of its yielding
to temporary obstruction. To still better prevent the breakage of grain it will be an
advantage however to have the inserted plate here also.
To admit air to the under end of grain elevating pipes bb immersed in the grain
in the vessel A and connected to the vacuum chamber E above, for the purpose of
carrying the grain, a sleeve or outer pipe b² is generally placed round the elevating
pipe b at its lower end reaching a little higher up than the grain leaving an annular
opening all round for the air entering and being drawn up with the grain to the
vacuum chamber E. As varying quantities of air are requisite for the different kinds
of grain we form the outer sleeve with an inward turned up edge its diameter
being preferably the same as the elevating pipe or it may be less. The outer
diameter of sleeve is a few inches greater. The elevating pipes we make preferably
bell mouthed at bottom and by pushing the sleeve up or down we contract
or widen the air space and at same time incline the current of air in its proper
direction.
But we preferably place an adjustable conical plate round the elevator pipe b
which will admit a regulated quantity of air by fixing it up and down in any desired
position in or over the open top of sleeve 2 by regulating the nuts 6º over the screw
pins b
Flexible pipes are required particularly at lower end for elevating the grain from
different parts of barge A. It is common to fix the maximum lengths of piping
together, flexible or otherwise, at the start of the operation to save loss of time in
jointing and unjointing when work is going on, but this is a loss of power and an
unnecessary wear of pipes. We join one or two lengths of flexible pipes together
with air and grain inlet contrivances at bottom and slide them telescopically over the
thin metal elevating pipes above and make them air tight by forming a
66
thin
stocking" of indiarubber at top with a stout indiarubber ring round its mouth
moulded of less diameter than the pipe it encircles to prevent air getting past. This
contrivance allows the indiarubber pipe easily to fall by its weight as the grain is
being drawn away and the ring is easily rolled back and "flapped" over the outside
of indiarubber pipe in order to again telescope it. Small pulley blocks with tackle j¹
are attached to pipes for hauling up and down.
In order to make a flexible indiarubber pipe suitable for the above we take complete
rings of steel or other metal J of round, square, dovetail or other section and in
forming the pipe place them on a mandrel at short distances apart and surround and
bed them entirely in indiarubber and canvas J to a thickness desired according to the
kind of work required.
And further, in order to make a grain elevating pipe which shall be flexible, and of
metal, to stand wear be easily repaired and less costly than indiarubber piping as
described, we form round tapering pieces I of preferably thin steel piping in short
lengths, having a flange I at the larger end. The smaller end of one pipe is entered
into the larger of the other, say from 1" to 1" and the pipes are prevented being
drawn apart by preferably four chains 12 with eye bolts passed through the flanges
of each thus allowing the one to telescope somewhat into the other or be twisted to
an angle.
By having a number of such short pieces of piping fitted together in this way, a
flexible pipe is easily made to take the form of a bend, and be easily drawn into
different positions.
In order to make an air tight joint between the larger diameter of one pipe and the
smaller of the other as shown in Figure 11 a flange of indiarubber k is moulded the
diameter of flange on pipe, having a hole in centre, with a preferably stiffening core kl
round about it, of smaller diameter than the pipe.
The core is stretched and sprung over the pipe at its smaller end (the chains

page_text: being unscrewed to allow of this) which ensures a perfectly tight joint round it. The
screws I at each end of chains 12 are then passed through the flanges of pipes and
the indiarubber joint flanges with iron washers all round on outside of rubber joints,
and screwed up.
A perfectly air tight and flexible joint is thus made between
the two pipes. The indiarubber flange we make of insertion outside and inside
the bolt holes to prevent dragging and the inner part of pure indiarubber to
allow for stretch.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
First. The general arrangement and combination of appliances for elevating and
discharging or conveying grain and the like, substantially as herein described in
reference to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Second. In a system of elevating and discharging or conveying grain and the like,
the arrangement of rotating wheel valve with vanes and pockets and adjustable spindle
bearings substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the accom-
panying drawings.
Third. In a system of elevating and discharging or conveying grain and the like,
the arrangement of deflecting plate within the grain hopper at bottom of vacuum
chamber substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the accom-
panying drawings.
Fourth. In a system of elevating and discharging or conveying grain and the like,
the combination of a water trap between the vacuum chamber (which is provided
with any suitable form of air-lock discharge valve) and the cylinder of engine to
prevent impurities entering the latter substantially as herein described in reference
to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Fifth-In-n-system of elevating and discharging or conveying grain and the like
the combination of piping with shifting or adjustable air-regulating plate-at-bottom
sleeve-substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the necom-
panying drawings.
Sixth. In-a-system-of-elevating and discharging or conveying grain-and-the-like,
the-arrangement-and-use of rubber jointed-Aunge or piping substantially-as-and-for
the purposes herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying
drawings.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
90, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.