A Method of and Apparatus for Melting Snow in Roads, Ways, and other Places.
Year: 1886

page_text: :
A Method of and Apparatus for Melting Snow in Roads, Ways,
and other Places.
I FRANK LYON of 94 Harleyford Road, Lambeth Chemical Manufacturer do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for A METHOD OF AND APPARATUs for
MELTING SNOW IN ROADS, WAYS AND OTHER PLACES to be as follows:-
I employ pipes of wrought iron of any section but by preference either round or
elliptical and of any convenient size and length, made in series, each one being
tapered so that the small end of the largest will fit the large end of the next size
and so on throughout the series. I make the pipes taper for the purpose of easy
storage when not required for use. The smallest being placed inside the next
largest and so on throughout the series. Thus the whole of a series occupies only
the space of the largest pipe in which all the others are contained. At the largest
end of the series of pipes I place a fire grate or furnace and at the smallest end
I fit a short length of vertical pipe for a chimney. When it is desired to deal with
a fall of snow, a series of pipes, which may be of any length and consist of any
number of pipes, is fitted together and laid in the gutter of the thoroughfare to be
cleared or in any convenient place. A fire is lighted in the furnace the heat from
which passes along the series of pipes which it heats. The snow is thrown on to
the hot pipes and thus rapidly melted, the water running down the nearest gully,

page_text: A Method of and Apparatus for melting Snow in кoads, ways,
and other Places.
I FRANK LYON of 94 and 96 Harleyford Road. Kennington; Chemical Manufac-
turer 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:-
I employ a furnace of iron having a horizontal or alightly inclined flue or tube
which may be of any section and of size and length proportioned to the size of the
furnace. At the end of the flue or tube farthest from the furnace I place a short
chimney having at the base a door for the purpose of lighting a small fire to create
a draught when the fire is first lighted in the furnace. On each side of the flue.or
tube I place moveable side plates of iron to support the snow and prevent it from
sliding off the hot surface unmelted. I construct the flue or tube in short lengths
decreasing in size from the furnace to the chimney in such a manner that when
not required for use it may be collapsed like a telescope each length entering and
being contained within the next larger one and the largest one containing the
others entering and being contained within the furnace the chimney being placed
within the smallest length of flue. The movable side plates are also contained
within the furnace when not in use. Each length of flue has a pair of legs
furnished with wheels or rollers and a pair of inclined arms to carry the side
plates. I construct the furnace and flue in this manner in order that they may
occupy but little space when not required for use and that they may be readily
transported from the place of storage to the desired spot when required. I some-
times fit shafts and wheels to the furnace or it may be placed in a cart or trolly
for removal.
When it is desired to deal with a fall of snow, the furnace containing the other
parts is to be taken and placed either in the thoroughfare to be cleared or in any
convenient spot. The flue having been extended and the chimney and the side
plates placed in position the fire is lighted in the furnace the heat from which
passes along the flue which becomes highly heated. The snow is thrown on to the
hot flue being kept in contact with it by the side plates and is rapidly melted,
the resulting water running away down the nearest gully.
It is intended to employ several furnaces with their accompanying flues
distributed over the district to be cleared from snow so that the distance it has to
be carted is but short.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1st. The employment for the purpose of melting snow in roads ways and other
places of a furnace having a horizontal or slightly inclined flue or tube of any
section and of a size and length proportioned to the size of the furnace baving
moveable side plates and a vertical chimney,

page_text: 2nd. The construction of the furnace and flues or tubes in such a manner that
when not required for use the furnace may contain the flue, the chimney and the
side plates and thus the apparatus may occupy but little space and may be readily
transported from the place of storage and got ready for use when a fall of snow
takes place.
3rd. The method of melting snow by the heat of fuel consumed in a furnace
constructed so as to be readily transportable & conducted along the flues in such a
manner as to heat it sufficiently to rapidly melt snow thrown on to it.
4th. The employment for the purpose of getting rid of snow, of several furnaces
constructed as above described with their accompanying flues distributed over the
district to be cleared so that the distance the snow has to be carted is but short.
Dated this thirteenth day of October 1886.