IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFATURE OF SUGAR
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Charles Wilson, Manager for G. Buchanan
& Co., Engineers, 25, Bucklersbury, London, Civil and Mechanical
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
Sealed the 29th April 1862, and dated the 2nd November 1861.1
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Charles Wilson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd November 1861.
I, JOHN CHARLES WILSON, Manager for G. Buchanan & Co., Engineers,
25, Bucklersbury, London, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPA.
RATUS FOR THE MANUFATURE OF SUGAR," to be as follows:-
This Invention has reference to, firstly, that part of the machinery or appa-
ratus for the manufacture of sugar from the cane, termed a steam sugar-cane
mill; secondly, to the steam boiler of steam sugar-cane, mills; thirdly, to the
"gear"
"gearing," which intervenes between the steam engine and sugar-
cane mill; fourthly, to the rollers of sugar-cane mills; fifthly, to the side frames
or standards which support the rollers of sugar-cane mills and the trash
turner; sixthly, to sugar-cane mills driven by water power and the water
wheel which actuates or drives them; seventhly, to the "cattle power" or.
gear for transinitting the power of animals to a sugar-cane mill; eighthly, to
the vaporization and evaporation of the aqueous portions of saccharine fluids.
Firstly, with regard to the steam sugar-cane mills, I propose to con-
Price 8d1

page_text: struct the same in a novel manner, so as to obviate many of the defects
which attach to their present construction, and more particularly to increase
their strength, compactness, and portability as well as to lessen their cost.
Heretofore, in consequence of the unconnected character of the machinery
the planter has been put to very great expense in building extensive founda-
tions to which the various parts of the machinery must be fixed, and in setting
the boiler in brickwork, and erecting a brick chimney. In this Invention the
steam engine and sugar-cane mill are both fastened or conjoined to the steam
boiler either directly or by means of intervening girders or base plates, and a
description of boiler is employed which requires no brick setting, and is pro-
vided with an iron chimney, under which arrangement advantage is taken of the
weight of the boiler, and the water in it to impart increased steadiness to the
machinery in motion, and dependence is placed upon the cohesive strength of
the iron framework to resist the working strain instead of the brick founda-
tions above alluded to. At the same time the whole is rendered quite portable,
and may be set to work a very few days after its arrival on the estate, no
foundation of any kind being required except the solid ground.. The boiler
is suited to burn wood or "megass" fuel.
Secondly, with regard to the steam boiler of steam sugar-cane mills of what-
ever kind, this Invention consists in the employment of a boiler formed with a
circular top and straight or curved sides, which terminate in a flat base for it to
rest upon. The fire-place is placed in an internal flue of large capacity suited
to burn wood fuel. When it is desired to increase the vaporizing power of said
boiler without increasing its size, I propose placing a water tube or tubes in
the main flue.
"
Thirdly, with regard to the " gear" or "gearing," which intervenes between
the steam engine and sugar-cane mill, this Invention consists in the employ-
ment, either wholly or in part, of what is termed "bevil" gearing instead of the
spur gear, heretofore adopted. Further, I propose to construct the gearing
of whatever kind used for sugar-cane mills of wrought iron or steel in lieu of
cast iron, as heretofore.
65
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Fourthly, with regard to the rollers of sugar-cane mills of whatever kind,
I propose to construct them and their shafts entirely of wrought iron or steel,
or of a combination of both metals, instead of the defective combination of
cast and wrought iron hitherto employed. I also propose to forge or cast
solid with the shafts the pinion which actuates or drives the roller, instead of
making it in a separate piece and "keying" it on, as heretofore.
Fifthly, in regard to the side frames or standards which support the rollers
of sugar-cane mills, I propose to construct them in a novel manner entirely

page_text: of wrought iron or steel, or a combination of both metals, whereby greater
strength, lightness, and portability are obtained. In these improvements the
lower rollers are not adjusted or drawn out in a horizontal direction, but are
adjusted in the direction of a line passing through the centres of the top and
lower rolls, and are drawn out in a direction at right angles to the same.
Further, I propose to entirely dispense with the adjusting screw, as hitherto
made, and to substitute in lieu thereof a solid wedge placed between the "brass"
of lower roller bearing the seat on the side frame. The latter being at right
angles to the line of thrust, as before stated. This wedge may be drawn out or
pushed in by any convenient mechanism, and the roller elevated or depressed
accordingly. The advantages of this arrangement are that the crushing angle
of the rollers is kept the same at whatever distance they may be set apart (a
point of great importance in thoroughly expressing the juice of the sugar-
cane), and the whole of the thrust or strain is transferred directly to the
lower and stronger part of the side frames instead of, as in the old arrange-
ment, partly through the comparatively weaker medium of the adjusting screw.
Another important advantage is that in "opening" the rollers; the space
between the lower roller and trash turner is kept nearly the same where
the ordinary trash turner is adopted without the self-adjusting spring to be
immediately alluded to. In regard to the trash turner of sugar-cane mills, I
propose to construct it with a steel spring, which will constantly press against
the lower roller in whatever position it may be adjusted, and thus obviate the
great objection of the present arrangement, namely, the space which is left
when the rollers are "opened," and through which the crushed cane is apt to
fall amongst the juice, besides forming a point to catch and obstruct its passage
through the mill. Instead of attaching a spring to the trash turner, the latter
may be so constructed as to act a similar part itself, and the same arrange-
ment may be applied to the "trash" as well as the "front" lower mill.
Sixthly, in regard to sugar-cane mills driven by water power, and the
water wheel which actuates or drives them, I propose placing the water wheel
in an iron trough or "breast," so as to dispense with the present brickwork
breast or foundations, and to attach the cane mill to the same.
"
Seventhly, in regard to the cattle power or gear" for transmitting the
power of animals to a sugar-cane mill, I propose to substitute a bell or pan-
shaped casting for carrying the "gearing" in lieu of the present open frame, so
as to cover in the wheels and protect them from breakage, besides giving the
machinery increased stability and compactness. Further, when it is desired
to greatly increase the speed of the horizontal driving shaft I employ with a
view to compactness what is termed "internal" gearing.

page_text: Eighthly, in regard to the vaporization and evaporation of the aqueous
portions of saccharine fluids, I propose to effect the same by passing heated air
over their surfaces, gradually removing the upper stratum of the liquid as it
becomes concentrated. By this means the watery particles are vaporized on
the surface of the liquid in contradistinction to the present mode of converting
them into vapour in the body of the solution by the well-known process of
boiling, and I consequently get rid of the chief objection of the present
system, namely, that of subjecting the entire bulk of the sugar solution to a
high temperature for a lengthened period of time. In this Invention the
heated air operates upon the surface of the liquid, and its temperature is such
as to affect the instantaneous vaporization of the watery particles without
affecting those foreign matters in the solution, whose decomposition through
excessive heat would discolour and impede the crystallization of the sugar;
and the evaporation proceeds in the quickest possible manner, as after the
vapour has once been formed it is at once free to escape, instead of as in the
process of boiling" having to force its way out through the denser medium of a
highly concentrated saccharine solution, as before alluded to, when the watery
particles pass off in the state of vapour, and the upper stratum of the solution
is concentrated thereby to some extent; it is gradually removed until every
portion of it has in turn been subjected to the action of the heated air, when
the process is repeated until the point of crytallization is attained.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Charles Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 2nd May 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
CHARLES WILSON, 14A, Cannon Street, London, Civil and Mechanical Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said John Charles Wilson, Her special licence that I, the said
John Charles Wilson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said John Charles Wilson, my executors, administrators, and
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

page_text: 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 MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANU-
FACTURE OF Sugar," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
John Charles Wilson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immie-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Charles Wilson, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
Firstly, my Invention has reference to that part of the machinery or appa-
ratus for the manufacture of sugar from the cane, termed a steam sugar-cane mill..
Heretofore such machinery has mostly been made in detached pieces, erected.
on extensive brick and timber foundations, with a boiler placed at some distance
off, also built in brickwork. If at all combined on a foundation plate, arrange-
ments of a "vertical" class of machinery have been adopted. To the first
mode of construction the chief objections are, the cost and difficulty of erection
on the estate abroad; and when that has been done in the best manner usually
practicable in the tropics, the brick foundations, which in this system resist the
working strains, are apt to yield and the machinery to shake loose upon its
seat.
The "vertical" systems of machinery last alluded to are subject to injurious
vibrations (caused by the fly wheel and other rapidly revolving parts being
placed at a high elevation), which occasion great straining of the parts, and
consequent friction and loss of power. In such system the machinery is also
necessarily confined and difficult to be got at for examination or repairs. In
my Invention a "horizontal" as distinguished from a "vertical" class of
machinery is adopted.
My said Invention consists in the new and improved combination of the
horizontal class of steam boiler with steam engine, connecting gearing and
sugar-cane mill, all united together on the same iron foundation plate or
girders; also in the novel and peculiar arrangement of bevil and spur gearing,
by means of which said combination or others of a like nature can be most
conveniently effected.

page_text: Sheet A, Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, shew respec-
tively a side elevation and plan of my said Invention.
A is the iron foundation plate which carries the whole of the machinery;
B, the steam boiler, of portable construction, with iron chimney; C, the
cylinder of the steam engine; D, the fly wheel shaft placed across the founda-
tion plate; E, the fly wheel revolving alongside the foundation plate; F, the
bevil gearing which communicates the power from the steam engine to the
first motion shaft G, on the end of which is a pinion H, working into a large
internal spur wheel I, which turns the connecting shaft K, and through it the
top roller of the sugar mill L.
By this improved combination the machinery is rendered thoroughly port-
able, all costly foundations with the brick chimney and setting of the boiler
being dispensed with. The iron foundation plate unites the whole immove-
ably together. The fly wheel and all other rapdily revolving parts being
placed low down near to the base line (assisted by the weight of the boiler),
the utmost steadiness of motion is attained. The work of erection abroad is
rendered so simple as merely to consist of bolting the pieces together in the
same order in which they have been fitted and marked in the workshop here.
Great economy of fuel is obtained by the use of the portable boiler in close
proximity to the cylinder, all loss by condensation of the steam and risk of
leakage at the joints which obtains in long steam pipes abroad being obviated.
The horizontal boiler permits of the easy application of every description of
boiler mountings. The simplicity of the arrangement generally permits of
every part being examined and repaired with the greatest ease. When it is
desired to run the sugar mill slow, a second motion shaft M, and additional
spur gearing, as shewn by the dotted lines on the plan can be adopted. Any
other description of steam engine than the horizontal can be adopted, but I
consider it the best for the purpose.
With reference to the peculiar arrangement of gearing which communicates
the power of the steam engine to the sugar-cane mill, its distinctive features
may be described as follows, viz. The fly wheel shaft is placed across the
foundation plate with the fly wheel revolving alongside, and "bevil" gearing
communicates the power from it to the first motion shaft G. From the latter
the power may be communicated to the sugar mill either by "external"
"internal "spur gear, or by a combination of both kinds. If the sugar mill
rollers are placed across the foundation plate, and the mill fed with canes from
the end instead of from the side (which may be done by adopting a trash plate
of a shape suited to throw the "megass" to the side), then "bevil" gearing on
the fly wheel shaft would not be required, but the mill would be wholly driven
or

page_text: by "spur" gearing. The iron foundation plate may be made in one or more
pieces, and of wrought or cast iron, or of a combination of both metals. It
need not necessarily project underneath the boiler (although I consider it
better that it should do so), but may be fastened to it at the smoke box end;
girders may be substituted for a plate.
Secondly, this Invention has reference to the steam boiler of steam sugar-
cane mills, and consists in the combination of a portable horizontal steam
boiler of the construction shewn in Figures 3 and 4, Sheet A, with steam
sugar-cane mills on the same iron foundation plate or any other kind. Great
difficulty has been experienced in devising a suitable portable boiler for steam
sugar-cane mills which shall shall combine the necessary requirements of a
capacity to burn " megass fuel, sufficient area of water surface to provide
against sudden fluctuations in the water level, space for the increased number of
boiler mountings required for sugar-mill purposes, economy of construction, and
convenience of exportation. The locomotive" boiler is too expensive and
otherwise unsuited. The "Cornish" or "Cornish tubular" has too confined a
furnace for " magass fuel; the "vertical tubular" has the grave objection
of a small area of water surface, and is consequently much given to priming;
besides it is apt to get burnt from the difficulty steam has in freeing itself from
vertical surfaces. As shewn in Figures 3 and 4, Sheet A, the description of
boiler I have adopted consists of an external shell with circular top and
straight sides & with flat ends. The fire-place is placed in the large internal
flue, and the flame after passing to one end returns through the tubes to the
chimney. The fire-place is of large capacity and therefore admirably adapted
to burn wood fuel. The water surface is of large area. When desired, instead
of the fire-brick in the main flue, a water tube or tubes may be placed so as to
materially increase the vaporizing power without increasing the size of the boiler.
Thirdly, this Invention has reference to the "gear" or "gearing" which
intervenes between the steam engine and the sugar-cane mill, and consists in
a combination of "bevil" and "spur" gearing, with the fly wheel shaft placed
across the foundation plate, as shown in Figure 5, Sheet A. The spur gear
may be varied to "single" or "double gear, and to all "external" gear if
desired. By this improved combination the fly-wheel is made to revolve very
compactly alongside the foundation plate, thus removing the chief difficulty in
the arrangement of combined descriptions of mills.
Fourthly, this Invention has reference to the rollers of sugar-cane mills, and
consists in constructing them of wrought iron or steel discs or plates, as shewn,
in Figures 1, 2, & 3, Sheet D, instead of with a wrought-iron shaft and cast
iron cylinder keyed on to it as heretofore. Greater portability is thus obtained,

page_text: as the rollers can be transported in pieces and put together on the estate
abroad. Fig. 1 shews one mode of construction, namely, with discs. The
shaft has a solid end forged upon it, against which the discs are screwed up by
the nut. At the other end keys are sunk into the shaft which drive the discs.
The other mode of construction is shewn in Figures 2 & 3, where thin
plates are adopted instead of discs, with holes punched out to lighten them as
shewn in the end view. Instead of the end nut, bolts may be used to keep
them in place, as shewn.
as shewn.
The roll pinions may be forged solid with the shafts
Rollers of this construction will not work loose on their shafts as
the present do, and being free from all danger of "bursting" like the cast
iron cylinder, a saving may be effected by their use in dispensing with the
"spare" rollers, which are considered a necessary complement to the present
-sugar mills.
"
Fifthly, this Invention has reference to the side frames which support the
rollers of sugar-cane mills, and consists in constructing the same in a novel
manner wholly of wrought iron or steel plates or pieces in lieu of cast iron as
heretofore; also to an improved modé of elevating and depressing the lower
rolls by means of a wedge instead of the present adjusting screw and block,
and to an improved trash turner fitted with self-acting steel springs.
My improved mode of constructing the side frames is fully illustrated on
Sheet B, where Figure 1 shews an elevation (one half in section) of a complete
side frame; Fig. 2, a cross section on the line A, B; Fig. 3, an end view;
and Fig. 4, a section on the line C, D. The two external plates E, E, form
the outsides of the frame, and between them is placed the wrought-iron centre
piece F, made either of one or more solid pieces or of a number of thin plates
placed side by side. The two external plates and this centre piece or pieces
are rivetted securely together. These frames differ from other systems in the
following important points, viz., the centre piece is not specially used as
merely a convenient medium for keeping the two external plates a certain
distance apart, but assists in keeping the upper and lower horns of the frames
together by the links G, G, which are fastened to it at both ends, and bear
their proportion of the strain between the upper and lower rolls. In these
frames the lower rolls are not drawn out in a horizontal direction but at right
angles to a line passing through the centres of the top and lower rolls. The
top roll holding down bolts do not require to be taken to the bottom of these
frames, but only a short distance down from the top, as shewn. The mode of
fastening these frames to the sole plate is also novel, the two external plates
being made to embrace a cross-piece on the sole plate of the same thickness
as the wrought-iron céntre-piece between the frames, and bolted firmly through

page_text: it. The advantages obtained by this mode of construction are greater strength
and portability than hitherto, with great compactness, and a low centre of
gravity in the sugar mill.
My improved mode of elevating or depressing the lower rolls consists, as
shewn on Sheet B, of a wedge H placed underneath the bearing of the lower
roll, and made to traverse by turning the screw I or other convenient
mechanism. When the wedge is pushed forward the roller is elevated, and
depressed when drawn out, or vice versa. The advantages of this mode of
construction are, that the lower roll always moves in a direct radial line to or
from the top roll, and one uniform crushing angle is retained, while the space
between the lower roll and trash turner is varied to the smallest possible extent.
The seat of the bearings on the side frame being at right angles to the line of
thrust, the strain on the latter becomes purely tensile. The side frames are
therefore rendered much stronger than usual, having only that strain to resist
which their material is best calculated to sustain. The lower rolls are easily
drawn out without disturbing the top roll.
My improved self-adjusting trash turner is shewn on Sheet D, Figures 4 & 5;
it consists of a steel spring A. fastened to the ordinary trash turner, and
constantly pressing against the lower roll.
Sixthly, this Invention has reference to sugar-cane mills driven by water
power, and consists in the combination of the water wheel and sugar-cane
mill on the same iron trough or foundation plate. A very portable con-
struction is thus obtained. Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet C, fully illustrate these
improvements, Figures 1 and 2 shewing one mode of construction with the
sugar mill on a level with the water wheel shaft, and Figure 3 with the sugar
mill on the top of the water wheel trough. It may also be placed at the end
of the latter. All brick building in erection abroad is dispensed with, and
the planter has a guarantee of the suitableness and perfection of the machinery
in the fact of its having been erected complete, and tested in motion in the
workshop here.
Seventhly, this Invention has reference to the cattle power or gear for
transmitting the power of animals to a sugar-cane mill, and consists in making
the framing of said gear of a spherical or bell-shaped casting, so as to cover in
the wheels and protect them from breakage, besides adding to the stability
and compactness of the machinery. Figures 6, 7, & 8, Sheet D, fully illustrate
this part of my Invention. Further, when it is. desired to greatly increase the
speed of the horizontal driving shaft, internal spur gear is adopted.
arrangement of the latter is shewn in Fig. 8.
One
Eighthly, this Invention has reference to the vaporization and evaporation

page_text: of the aqueous portions of saccharine fluids, and consists in causing heated air
to come in contact with the surface of the fluid, at the same time gradually
removing the upper stratum of the latter as it becomes concentrated. The
whole of the fluid thus becomes exposed in turn to the action of the heated
air, and the watery particles evaporated from it, without subjecting the entire
bulk of the solution to a high temperature for a lengthened period of time.
Figures 9 & 10, Sheet D, represent respectively a sectional elevation & plan
of one mode of carrying this process into effect. A & B are two cylinders,
which contain the fluid to be operated upon; and C & D are pistons moving
up and down in the same, so as to cause the fluid to pass from the one cylinder
into the other, the one piston advancing as the other is receding; E, is the
passage for the heated air. In this illustration the piston D is supposed to be
advancing and C receding, so as to cause the fluid to pass from the cylinder B
into A, while the heated air is propelled through the passage E from the
direction F, and the steam blown out at G. When the cylinder A is filled,
the apparatus is turned to the opposite angle (as shewn by the dotted lines)
and the operation reversed, and so on until the desired amount of concen-
tration has been obtained. The advantages of this process are, Istly, dispensing
with continuous boiling of the entire bulk of the solution for a lengthened
period of time; 2ndly, the watery particles being vaporized at the surface of
the liquid are free to at once evaporate, and the process is thus conducted
under the best conditions for speedy evaporation with a minimum quantity of
heat; 3rdly, the temperature can be regulated with great nicety; 4thly, the
apparatus necessary to carry this process into effect may all be of simple
construction, not liable to get out of order, easily cleaned, and the scum on
the liquid easily removed.
Having now described & particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Inventions, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe that I do not confine or restrict myself to the
precise details or arrangements I have here described and referred to, as many
variations may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles of my
Inventions; but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim
as the Inventions secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent, is,
First, the general construction of portable steam sugar-cane mills, as herein-
before described.
Second, the combination of the horizontal class of steam boiler with steam
engine, connecting gearing and sugar-cane mill, upon the same foundation
plate or plates, or girders.
:

page_text: Third, the peculiar arrangement of the fly wheel shaft and gearing, as
herein-before described, in steam sugar-cane mills with steam engine and
boiler, connecting gearing and sugar mill, upon the same iron foundation plate
or plates, or girders.
Fourth, the combination of the portable horizontal steam boiler, as herein-
before described, with steam sugar-cane mills.
Fifth, the combination of bevil and spur gearing with the fly wheel shaft
placed across the foundation plate, as herein-before described, for the purpose
of driving steam sugar cane mills.
Sixth, the construction of the rollers of sugar-cane mills wholly of wrought
iron or steel discs or plates, or a combination of both metals, as herein-before
described.
Seventh, the general arrangement and construction of side frames, as
herein-before described.
Eighth, the mode of elevating or depressing the lower rollers of sugar-canę
mills by means of a wedge moving under the roll bearing, as herein-before
described.
Ninth, constructing the trash turner of sugar-cane mills with self-adjusting
steel spring.
Tenth, the combination of water wheel with sugar mill upon the same iron
trough or iron foundation, as herein-before described.
Eleventh, the general arrangement and construction of framing and gearing
for the cattle power of a sugar-cane mill, as herein-before described.
Twelfth, the vaporization and evaporation of the aqueous portions of
saccharine fluids by forcing heated air in contact with the surface of said
fluids, and gradually removing the upper stratum from the action of the
heated air, as it becomes concentrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Charles Wilson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Second day of May, Eighteen hundred and
sixty-two.
JOHN CHARLES WILSON. (L.S.)