IMPROVE. CANORCHLOSTOR OF HYDROSTATIC PRESSES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Weems and William. Weems, both of Johnstone,
in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVE.
CANORCHLOSTOR OF HYDROSTATIC PRESSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Weems and William
Weems at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition.
on the 8th September 1865.
Wé, JOHN-WEEMS and WILLIAM WEEMS, both of Johnstone, in the County
of Renfrew North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HYDROSTATIC PRESSES," to be as
follows; that is to say:--
This Invention firstly relates to certain improved methods of constructing
the cylinders of presses actuated by fluid pressure; secondly, to an improved
method of constructing the rams of such presses; thirdly, to an improved
method of constructing presses for separating fluids from solids, or those that
are partially so, and for pressing fluids and solids or other substances.
According to the first part of this Invention the ordinary cast-iron or other
metallic cylinder, after having been bored out, has inserted into it a cylindrical
lining or casing of copper, brass, or other suitable material, the object of which
is to prevent the fluid used from gaining access to the interior molecular pores
of the material; by means of this arrangement all inter-atomic strain that
occurs in press, cylinders as at present constructed is avoided, and the liability

page_text: to rupture is reduced to a minimum. The bottom or base of the cylinder may
be placed out of contact with the fluid by various mechanical devices, as, for
instance, a large cup leather, india-rubber, or other packing, the full diameter
of the copper, or other metallic casing, may be employed, in the interior of
which a metallic ring, whose outer edge is slightly conical is fitted, in such a
manner that when the pressure commences the ring is forced backwards and
the conical edge intruding upon the up-turned edge of the cup leather or
other packing forces it firmly against the casing, so that no leakage can occur.
the closeness of contact hetween the packing and the casing increasing in the
exact ratio of the pressure. At the central part of the bottom of the cylinders
the pipe from the force pump may be introduced, the end of which may pro-
trude into the cylinder, and over the end of the pipe thus projecting a collar
or jamb nut may be fixed, in the interior of which a small conical or other
shaped cup leather or other packing is fixed, and this being in contact with
the first-named large cup leather. the pressure upon them secures a perfectly
tight joint between the two, and by this means the bottom of the cylinder is
completely insulated from the action of the fluid. Instead of using leather
cups or rings, as in the preceeding arrangement, rings of copper or other
metal, gutta percha, india-rubber, or other suitable metal may be employed,
or in lieu of constructing the bottom at all in the preceeding manner, it may
be formed of copper or other suitable metal, and united by brazing or otherwise
to the cylindrical casing, in which case it may be desirable to make the bottom
itself plain. concave, or corrugated.
The second part of this Invention has reference to the construction of
hydraulic press rams with a hollow chamber, or cavity. or air space, in the
inner end or bottom of the ram, by means of which a continual equality of
pressure is maintained for a considerable length of time, the air also acting as
an elastic cushion and preventing any rupture or bursting of the cylinder from
the reaction or concussion of the fluid. It is well known that the ram of an
ordinary hydraulic press, if the pressure is continued for any length of time.
to a certain extent subsides, the pressure exerted decreasing in a corresponding
ratio, the use of the air space then in this case is to maintain a continual
equality of pressure, or to approximate thereto, which is effected by the ex-
pansion of the air as the pressure of the fluid from whatever cause it may arise
subsides. The ram is also furnished with a cup leather or other packing, to
form a tight traversing joint between the cylinder and the ram. This second
part of our Invention relating to the air chamber is of course not only applicable
to cylinders constructed in accordance with the first part of our Invention
but is also applicable to all other press cylinders.

page_text: The third part of this Invention relates to an improved method of con-
structing presses for separating fluids from solids, or those that are partially so,
and for pressing fluids and solids or other substances, and consists in having
the top part of the ram of a hydraulic cylinder formed with a circular or cylin-
drical chamber or recess, into which is fitted a small ram, on the top of which
is fixed a perforated or solid disc, or other shaped plate fitted into a cylindrical
or other shaped receiver, and moveable therein, lined or not with a casing of
copper or other suitable material, and constructed with or without a heating
or cooling jacket. To the top or opposite end of this cylinder or receiver is
fitted a solid or perforated plate on the end of a fixed ram or cross-head, or it
may be fixed to the ram of another hydraulic press. When in operation the
cylinder or receiver is filled with the material to be pressed (say, for instance,
hops) and the large ram forced upwards, carrying with it the receiver, into
which passes the fixed plate on top, thereby pressing out the fluid through the
perforated bottom, and separating it from the solid matter. When this has
been effected the large ram is let down, carrying with it the receiver, the small
ram is then set in motion, forcing the disc plate upwards, which presses* out
the solid matter to the top of the receiver, from whence it is removed, the
small ram is allowed to fall, and the receiver, is now ready for another charge.
In separating some substances, for instance, oleaginous substances, the per-
forated disc may be covered with wire gauze and wool, or other permeable
material to arrest the progress of the solids, or those that are partially so, and
thereby collect them on the surface of the plate. The top plate or rain may
also have a cup leather or other packing to secure a tight travelling joint
between the cylinder and the rant, and it may also have a valve opening into
the interior of the receiver or cylinder, or other regulated opening for the
admission of fluid or semi-fluid substances.
Another modification consists in having a large cylinder as herein-before
described, lined or not lined, one end of which is fitted with a portable perforated
or solid valve cover or door, hinged or otherwise, or other suitable contrivance,
lined on the inside with layers of gauze and wool, or other permeable sub-
stances. To the opposite end of the cylinder is fitted a cover or ram on which
is fixed a cup leather or other packing, to secure a tight moveable joint
between the cylinder and ram or cover, and fixed to the ram or cover, or on
the receiver, is a valve or other regulated orifice opening into the interior of
the receiver or cylinder for the admission of the material to be pressed. This
ram or cover may be fixed to or in communication with the ram of a hydraulic
cylinder or spur wheel, or rack screw, or other contrivance, calculated to give
motion to the afore-mentioned ram. The fluid or semi-fluid, or other substance

page_text: to be acted on, for example, paraffine or other oil in its crude state may be
passed into the receiver at the top, or admitted through the valve or regulated
opening, and on the cylinder being filled the ram receives a forward motion
which forces the oil or other fluid through the wool and gauze, or other per-
meable substance, while the crude paraffine or other solid matter is collected
and removed by the portable door or other contrivance. 'The ram is now
drawn back and is ready for another charge. The cylinder or receiver in
this modification may be made with a solid end or bottom, and the cover, ram,
or receiver may be perforated and lined with a permeable substance.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Weems and William Weems in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 8th March 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, wc, JOHN
WEEMS and WILLIAM WEEMS, both of Johnstone, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
John Weems and William Weems, Her special license that we, the said
John Weems and William Weems, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the said John Weems and William Weems,
our executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUC.
TION OF HYDROSTATIC PRESSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we,
the said John Weems and William Weems, by an instrument in writing under
our hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said John Weems and William Weems,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the

page_text: same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
Our said Invention firstly relates to certain improved methods of con-
structing the cylinders of presses actuated by fluid pressure; secondly, to an
improved method of constructing the rams of such presses; thirdly, to an
improved arrangement or construction of presses for separating fluids from
solids, or those that are partially so, and for pressing fluids and solids or other
substances.
According to the first part of this Invention the ordinary cast-iron or other
metallic cylinder, after having been bored out, has inserted into it a cylindrical
lining or casing of copper, brass, or other dense material, the object of which
is to prevent the fluid used from gaining access to the inter-molecular pores
of the material; by means of this arrangement the inter-atomic strains that
occur in press cylinders as at present constructed are avoided and the liability
to rupture is reduced to a minimum. The bottom or base of the cylinder may
be placed out of contact with the fluid by various mechanical devices, as, for
instance, a large packing of feather, india-rubber, or other material whose
diameter is equal to the metallic casing, may be employed, the edge of this
packing being up-turned, as in an ordinary cup leather, in the interior of which
a metallic ring, whose outer edge is slightly conical, is fitted in such manner
that when the pressure commences the ring is forced backwards, and the conical
edge bearing upon the up-turned edge of the cup leather or other
packing forces it firmly against the casing, so that no leakage can occur, the
closeness of contact between the packing and the casing increasing in the
exact ratio of the pressure. At the central part of the bottom of the cylinder
the pipe from the force pump may be introduced, the end of which may pro-
trude into the cylinder, and over the end of the pipe thus projecting a collar
or jamb nut may be fixed in the interior of which a small conical or other
shaped cup leather or other packing is fixed, and this being in contact with
the first-named large cup leather the pressure upon them secures a perfectly
tight joint between the two, and by this means the bottom of the cylinder is
completely insulated from the action of the fluid. Instead of using leather or
india-rubber cups or rings, as in the preceding arrangement, rings of copper
or other metal, gutta percha, or other suitable material may be employed; or
in lieu of constructing the bottom at all in the preceding manner it may be
formed of a dense ductile metal, such as the lining is made of, and united by
brazing or otherwise to the cylindrical casing. in which case it may be desirable
to make the bottom itself concave, plane, or corrugated.

page_text: The second part of this Invention has reference to the construction of
hydraulic press rams with a hollow chamber, or cavity, or air space, in the
inner end or bottom of the ram, by means of which a continual equality of
pressure is maintained for a considerable length of time, the air also acting as
an elastic cushion and preventing any rupture or bursting of the cylinder from
the reaction or concussion of the fluid. It is well known that the ram of an
ordinary hydraulic press (if the pressure is continued for any length of time)
to a certain extent subsides, the pressure exerted decreasing in a corresponding
ratio, the use of the air space then, in this case, is to maintain a continual
equality of pressure, or to approximate thereto, which is effected by the ex-
pansion of the air as the pressure of the fluid from whatever cause it may arise
subsides. The ram is also furnished with a cup leather or other pacting, to
form a tight traversing joint between the cylinder and the ram. This second
part of our Invention relating to the air chamber is of course not only applicable
to cylinders constructed in accordance with the first part of our Invention,
but is also applicable to the rams of all other press cylinders; or instead of
this arrangement, when the material is thoroughly expressed the cylinder or
receiver is suspended and the ram withdrawn a short distance, when a ring
equal in depth to the thickness of the cake of solid material remaining within
the cylinder is placed on the head of the ram the pressure is again applied,
when the receiver is forced higher up and the solid matter enters the ring,
the cylinder is again suspended, and the ring containing the solid matter is
withdrawn, after which the receiver is placed in its original position on the
ram and lowered with the latter for a fresh charge. In separating some sub-
stances, for instance, oleaginous substances, the perforated disc may be
covered with wire gauze and wool or other permeable material, to arrest the
progress of the solids, or those substances that are partially so, and thereby
collect them on the surface of the plate. The top plate or rain may also have
a cup leather or other packing to secure a tight travelling joint between the
cylinder and ram, and it may also have a valve opening into the interior of the
receiver or cylinder, or other regulated opening, for the admission of fluid or
semi-fluid substances.
Another modification consists in having a large cylinder, as herein-before
described, lined or not lined, one end of which is fitted with a portable per-
forated or solid valve cover or door, hinged or otherwise, or other suitable
contrivance, lined in the inside with layers of gauze and wool or other per-
meable substance. To the opposite end of this cylinder is fitted a cover or
ram on which is fixed a cup leather or other packing to secure a tight move-
able joint between the cylinder and ram or cover, and fixed to the ram or cover,

page_text: or on the receiver, is a valve or other regulated orifice opening into the
interior of the receiver or cylinder for the admission of the material to be
pressed. This ram or cover may be fixed to or in communication with the
ram of a hydraulic cylinder, or spur wheel, or rack screw or other contrivance
calculated to give motion to the afore-mentioned rain. The fluid, or semifluid,
or other substance to be acted on, for instance, paraffin or other oil in its
crude state, may be passed into the receiver at the top, or admitted through
the valve or regulated opening, and on the cylinder being filled the ram
receives a forward motion which forces the oil or other fluid through the wool
and gauze or other permeable substance, while the crude paraffin or other solid
matter is collected and removed by the portable door or other contrivance.
The ram is now drawn back, and so ready for another charge. The cylinder
or receiver in this modification may be made with a solid end or bottom,
and the cover. ram, or receiver, may be perforated and lined with a permeable
substance.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood, we shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the several arrangements under
which the same is or may be used and carried into practical effect, reference
being had for the sake of more complete elucidation to the several Figures
upon the explanatory Sheets of Drawings which we have hereunto appended,
that is to say:
Figure 1, Sheet 1. is a vertical section at the centre of a hydrostatic
cylinder and ram constructed according to this Invention; Figure 2 is a plan
corresponding to Figure 1. In both Figures the cylinder is marked A, and its
interior is lined with the thin casing of copper B. the bottom being protected
or covered by the cup leather C, which is fastened at the centre by the jamb
nut D, screwed over the projecting inner end of the pipe E, by which the
cylinder and force pumps are connected. The bottom of the cylinder is fitted
with a large loose conical ring F, its conical edge pressing against the up-
turned part of the cup leather C, so that as the pressure in the cylinder increases.
the ring F is forced further towards or nearer to the cylinder's bottom, and
the security of the joint between the cup leather and the copper lining is
accordingly made more certain, the tightness of this joint varying in the exact
ratio of the pressure within the cylinder. The lower part of the
ram G is fitted with a ring H and cup leather I. the ring being
held to the ram by bolts K, the pressure of the water acting on the leather,
The
preventing any leak from taking place between it and the casing B.
lower part of the ram G has formed in it the cavity or air vessel L, the
diameter and depth of which may be varied according to the purpose to

page_text: which the press is to be applied. The chief use, however, of this latter cavity
is to cause a reaction to take place by the expansion of the air therein. It is
well known that when hydrostatic pressure is maintained for a long period of
time that the pressure ultimately (to a certain extent subsides); the use then
of the air vessel or cavity is that when this subsidence takes place the air
confined therein under a considerable pressure may expand, and thus, to a
certain extent tend to maintain the pressure for any period in close proximity
to its original intensity than it has hitherto been possible to effect.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of a press constructed for the purpose of
separating liquids from solids, and for dividing and obtaining from oleaginous
and other similar substances the heavier and more compact portions distinct
anil separate from the more fluid portions.
In
The press cylinder A and its ram B being constructed similarly to that
shown at and described in reference to Figures 1 and 2. need not be again
referred to. The upper part of the ram B is, however, constructed differently
to that shown in Figures 1 and 2; it is formed hollow as at C, and the lower
part of this hollow portion is perforated, as at a, a, to allow the
expressed liquid portion of the substance acted upon to flow through into
the annular gutter D fixed or formed round the head of the ram B, from
which the liquid is drawn off into receivers in any well known manner.
the upper face of the ram B a recess is formed to receive and forms a seat for
the cylindrical receiver E, the middle circular portion of the head of the ram
being perforated, as at c, c, c, to allow the liquid portions to escape into the
gutter or channel D, and thus to be separated from the solid portions which
remain within the cylindrical receiver E. When the fluid portions are
thoroughly divided from the solid, the solid part remains as a flat circular
cake I on the perforated bottom of the receiver E, and in order to extract
this cake therefrom the receiver E is fitted at its upper end with hooks, G,
which when the substances are thoroughly divided are turned upon the studs
or holders H, the ram B is withdrawn, and the receiver E left suspended,
the ram being withdrawn to a depth equivalent to the thickness of the solid
cake I, a metallic ring of the same thickness, and capable of containing the
cake I is now placed on the head of the ram B, which is again forced up,
and the upward motion being continued the solid cake I passes into the ring
placed between the bottom of the receiver E and head of the ram.
As soon
as the cake I has completely passed into the interposed ring the ram is again
withdrawn, when the receiver E is again suspended. and the ring containing
the solid cake is removed, after which the ram is forced up to receive the
receiver E, and the whole is then lowered to receive a fresh charge, and the

page_text: operation again conducted as herein previously specified. The receiver E is
formed with an annular space in it marked c¹, c¹. into which steam is admitted
by the pipe c, and any water that may have condensed therein is drawn
off by the pipe f, the pipe being fitted with a stop-cock. The presser or
plunger K, against which the material to be acted upon is pressed, is also
formed hollow and fitted with a steam pipe g for allowing steam to enter
therein, and with another pipe h, through which the condensed steam escapes
by the pressure of the fresh supply as the latter is admitted, the use of the
steam space being to heat certain materials as they are being acted upon by
pressure, so that a more thorough separation may be effected. A syphon
pipe is fixed to the presser to draw off any liquid matter that may have
escaped between the presser and the receiver.
On Sheet 2, Figure 1 is a vertical section of one form of the press
arranged for separating the solid and liquid portion of crude paraffin oil, and
Figure 2 is a corresponding sectional plan of the same. In this arrangement
the hydrostatic cylinder, not shown in the Drawings, is inverted, and to the end
of the ram a large strong flat plate A is fixed, from which pillars B extend,
carrying the piston or plunger C fitted with a cup leather, as in the pre-
ceding arrangement. The cylinder D is that in which the crude paraffin
oil is placed, and as the plunger C descends the fluid portions drop down
through the several perforations a. a, into the vat or tray F, whence the
liquid is run off to the holding tank. As soon as the liquid portion is
thoroughly separated from the solid the latter is left in a compressed cake at
the bottom of the cylinder D, and to prevent any very small portion of solid
paraffin from passing through the perforations, these are covered with a layer
or layers of gauze, wire, and flannel, by which the whole of the solid matter is
intercepted, and the strictly fluid portions only are expressed. The bottom F
is hinged to the cylinder D, as shown at G, in order to facilitate the removal
of the solid matter, after which it is again secured to the cylinder by bolts
or cotters passing through the lugs H, and the cylinder is again charged,
when the operation is again conducted as herein-before described.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we would observe, in conclusion, that what we consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,--
First, the peculiar construction of the cylinders and rams of hydrostatic
presses, as and for the purposes herein-before described.

page_text: Second, the application and use to and in the rams of hydrostatic cylinders
of an air chamber or cavity, for the purpose herein-before described.
Third, the application and use of a moveable receiver which is held sus-
pended during the descent of the ram, substantially in the manner and for the
purpose herein-before described and illustrated by Figure 3, Sheet 1 of our
Drawings.
Fourth, the application and use of the cylinder D in combination with the
hinged bottom F, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 2) of our
Drawings.
i
In witness whereof, I, the said John Weems, on behalf of myself and
the said William Weems, have hereunto set my hand and seal, the
Eighth day of March, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.