Improvements in Kilns.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1894-Accepted, 8th Sept., 1894
Improvements in Kilns.
1, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, a communication to me from abroad by The Columbian
Pottery and Brick Kiln Company, of Dexter Building, 84 Adams Street, Chicago,
Illinois, in the United States of America, and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in kilns for burning bricks, tiles,
earthenware goods, china ware, cement, lime and for making coke, roasting ore,
annealing glass and other purposes of a similar nature.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 represents a front elevation looking in the direction of the arrow shown
in Fig. 2.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section in the plane a Figs. 1 and 3.
Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section in the planes y y Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section in the plane z z Fig. 3 on a larger scale than the
previous figures.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section in the plane ¹¹ Figs. 3 and 6 on the same
scale as Fig. 4.
Figure 6 is a partial vertical section of that division of my kiln which contains
the mechanism for moving the floor on a larger scale than the previous figures.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of the mechanism for moving the floor.
Figure 8 is a sectional view of the means for introducing the fuel.
Figure 9 is a horizontal section in the plane y¹ y¹ Fig. 8.
Figure 10 is a horizontal section in the plane z z¹ Fig. 3.
Figure 11 is a horizontal section in the plane ³ ³ Fig. 3.
Figure 12 is an inverted plan view of part of the movable floor on a larger scale
than the previous figures.
Figure 13 is a vertical section in the plane y2 y3 Fig. 12.
The kiln consists of an annular chamber or vault which surrounds a central
smoke chamber and smoke stack. This annular vault is divided into a series of
equal divisions and in the example represented by the drawing, five divisions A, B,
C, D, E are shown with vertically moving slides u, v, w to divide off certain of
the divisions from the adjoining ones (Fig. 2). These slides are made of iron
framing and lined with asbestos or fire proof materials when near the fire or
are made of wood when not exposed to any heat and they are arranged to be
easily lifted up and down from the top of the kiln through a radial slot left in
the crown of the kiln by any suitable means such as are generally used for this
purpose. When the slides are down they engage shallow radial grooves in the
floor T of the kiln for the purpose of tight closing.
The entire floor T of the aforesaid annular vault is made movable so that it
can be rotated freely round the central smoke chamber and smoke stack in the
direction of the arrow marked near it in Fig. 5 which shows a plan view of the
bottom tray of said floor while Fig. 6 shows a transverse vertical section of
the entire floor. Said floor rests upon a series of rolling supports 6 which in the
example illustrated in the drawings are made in the form of solid steel balls'
but which may be made in the form of wheels and which move on circular
tracks R, R, R, (see Figs. 4 & 6). The rolling supports 6 may be connected to
the rings R' of the movable floor T in the manner shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The
b

page_text: tracks R, R, R, are connected by radiating bars S and they rest upon and are
secured to a solid bed of stone or concrete e, c which forms the bottom of the
annular vault.
The bottom tray of the movable floor T consists of a series of flat iron rings R¹
(Fig. 5) corresponding in number and position to the circular tracks R, an outer
ring R and an inner R°, both of which are provided with upwardly projecting
flanges respectively, and radiating T iron bars I which serve to retain the
rings R¹, R*, R° at the proper distance apart. From the bottom tray rise braces k
which support a ring k (Fig. 6) and on said tray is placed a layer of cement or
concrete 1, in the top surface of which are formed flues L (see Figs. 2, 3 and 6)
and over these flues concentric rows of bricks are placed edgeways and with
narrow spaces 30 left between them (see Fig. 6) bridging over the flues when
crossing the same and forming a perforated bottom for bricks and earthenware
goods to be placed upon for operation. The arrangement of the flues L is made
essentially as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, so as to afford the fire and heat, when
entering the kiln from the top a very uniform distribution with the longest possible
passage through the contents of the kiln. The heat is so to say made by this
means to rain uniformly through all the bricks or other goods in the division C,
before reaching the passage connecting this division with the smoke stack.
By referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 it will be seen that both the divisions B and C
communicate with the smoke stack by channels p and p¹ respectively. While the
floors of all five divisions are provided with precisely the same kind of flues L and
preparation for receiving goods, the divisions B and C only are provided with
passages leading into the smoke stack, the division being that which is in
operation under fire and the division B that which precedes the division C.
The interior of the annular vault is of uniform height and width all round so
that all the goods subject to being burnt can pass through the successive divisions
where they will receive different treatment. On the top of divisions B, C and D
are formed raised chambers H H H (Figs. 3, 8 and 11). The raised chamber
over division C is constructed entirely of fire brick, while those over divisions B
and D may be made of ordinary bricks. The first arch or crown of each of the
divisions C and D is pierced by a number of apertures Q, Q those in the crown of
division C being for the purpose of admitting to said division the products of com-
bustion from a fire created on specially constructed grates, while the apertures Q
in the crown of division D serve to allow the radiating heat and heated air to
escape through them from the burnt goods and by these means to heat the cold air
on its way to the fire grates after being admitted through a series of iron
louvres G G (Fig. 1) so that an economical combustion is attained.
The fire grates over division C (being the only division where heat is
permanently produced) are self-measuring and self-regulating step grates (see
Figs. 8 and 9). Each consists of a series of iron steps terminating over one of the
apertures in the crown of division C and radiating in inclined directions from an
iron cylinder Q, which projects through the crown of the chamber H¹ over
division C and is provided with a movable gate n at such a distance from the top
of the cylinder as the regulation of the contents may require. This gate is
connected to the hinged lid of the cylinder (Fig. 8) in such a manner that when
the lid is opened, the gate will be closed, and when the lid is closed the gate will
be opened. By these means the introduction of fuel or coal previously filled into
the cylinder and measured as regards proper quantity is taking place uniformly
over the step grates which are attached to the bottom ends of the cylinder Qº. In
the example illustrated in the drawings (Fig. 2) five cylinders Q are shown which
lead into the chamber H¹ over division C but this number can be changed as
may be found desirable. The air heated by radiation and conduction from the
apertures Qin the crown of division D reaches the fuel as the same passes down
over the step-grates and causes a very complete combustion the products of which
are uniformly drawn through the apertures Q in the crown of division C into the
kiln and are there again evenly distributed over the contents of the kiln by means
.

page_text: of the open spaces 30 and flues L which latter communicate with the channels p'.
The chamber H serves as a jacket for the heat in division B. Regulation as to
access and quantity of air for the combustion chamber His established by the
opening or closing of the iron louvres G and by the damper 10 placed at the inner
ends of the channel p' which lead from the bottom part of division Cinto the
smoke chamber. A similar damper 11 controls the channels p which lead from
division B into the smoke chamber and both the dampers 10 and 11 can be raised
or lowered by chains extending up through the brick wall of the chimney as
indicated in Fig. 3 according as heat is to pass more or less also to division B. If
oil or any other liquid or gaseous fuel is to be used, suitable nozzles will be
substituted for the step grates with provision to burn such fuels in a manner best
suited for the purpose. A manhole may be provided in the crown of the fire
chamber H' to afford access to the interior whenever it may be required.
Divisions A and E have each a large arched opening 12 and 13 respectively
(Figs. 1, 2 and 4) the opening 13 in division E being intended for taking out burnt
goods and the other opening 12 being for introducing dry and unburnt goods into
division A. Furthermore in the crowns of each of said two divisions A and E are
a series of small openings 14 and 15 respectively (Figs. 2 and 3) for the purpose of
ventilating and cooling said divisions during the time of discharging ready burnt
goods from division E and setting the unburnt goods into division A.
division C a reduction in the thickness of walls is taking place (see Fig. 4) towards
those divisions in which no fire exists and almost any ordinary building material
that is not fire proof can be used for such divisions.
From
Provision is also made to utilize all surplus beat which may emanate from the
sides of the kiln and particularly the heat which leaves division C before the same
enters the smoke stack, for drying unburnt goods. For this purpose an iron
duct 16 is provided, the mouth of which is close to the damper 10 (Fig. 3) so that
when this damper is raised, the heated air which escapes from division C through
the channels p', is received by said iron duct. This duct rises up in the smoke
stack (Fig. 3) then it passes out through the side of the smoke stack (Fig. 1) and
down beneath the ground, whence it finally turns up into a tunnel O which extends
round the kiln from one side of the arched opening 12 in division A to the opposite
side of the arched opening 13 in division E as seen in Fig. 2. Specially constructed
trucks will receive the bricks and earthenware goods subject to being dried and
keep them exposed to the action of all the heated air while going through the
tunnel. At the end of the tunnel near to the arched opening 13 the air escapes
through a second iron duct 17 which passes into the smoke stack (see Fig. 3). In
the tunnel is laid a double track 18 on which the trucks are propelled by wire
cable or any other suitable means. The ends of the tunnel can be closed by
means of suitable shutters at the ends 19, 20 and I can use with advantage
revolving iron shutters working self balanced in an upward and downward
direction.
An iron roof 21 is constructed over the whole kiln as shown in Figs. 1 and 3
which serves to protect the same against rain or snow.
The actual moving of the revolving platform T is effected in the following
manner: A toothed iron segment 22 comprising a little over one fifth of the outer
circumference of the revolving platform is suitably and firmly fixed in the inner
face of the outside wall of division E at such a height that a cogwheel 23 can be
brought in gear with it. It is obvious that this purpose may be effected in many
different ways which will readily suggest themselves to skilful mechanics. In the
example illustrated in the drawing the revolving platform T is provided in its
bottom tray (see Fig. 5) with a series of square sockets 24 the number of these
sockets being made to correspond to the number of divisions in the kiln; and the
spindle 25 (see Fig. 7) is provided with a square step at its bottom end which is
intended to engage the square sockets 24. On its upper part said spindle is
provided with a collar 26 and that portion of the spindle which extends above this
collar is round, the cogwheel 23 being provided with a central hole which fits this

page_text: upper round portion of the spindle. When the platform is to be turned round, the
spindle 25 and the cogwheel 23 are brought into the division E, after the same has
'been emptied of its contents, the square step of the spindle is dropped into the
square socket 24 which at the time is in position to receive it, the cogwheel 23 is
placed on the upper round portion of the spindle where it is in position to engage
the toothed segment 22 and then the cogwheel is turned in the proper direction by
levers or other suitable means until the empty portion of the platform is brought
in the proper position to form the bottom of division A.
OPERATION OF THE KILN.
Assuming the platform of the kiln is in the position shown in Fig. 10, the
following operations are to be performed within a working day of 8 to 10 hours.
A division (which may be supposed to have been emptied the previous day) is
being filled with dry goods as obtained from the drying tunnel and this operation
will have to be completed at the end of the day. About 20,000 to 25,000 bricks
or the equivalent quantity of earthenware goods will be placed into division A.
B division has been filled on the previous day and the goods will receive the
benefit of drying from the burning chamber or division C while steam formed from
the moisture expelled from the goods is let off direct to the smoke stack through
the lower connection; the slide u between divisions B.and A is down.
C division is under fire; the spare heat and heated air passes into the drying
tunnel and operates upon the goods therein. The time for heating can be
extended to 24 hours.
D division had been under fire the previous day; radiating heat from this
division serves to heat air admitted through the iron louvres G and the air so
heated serves to facilitate the combustion in division C being admitted either from
above into the combustion chamber above said division or from below directly into
the division. The slide w between divisions D and E is down. Cooling takes place
within 24 hours.
E division is being emptied and the contents removed, an operation to be
performed within 8 to 10 hours. The slide v between divisions E and A is down
in order to obtain a proper guide for the space to be filled and to prevent the dust
from reaching division A.
On the following day all slides u, v, w, are drawn and the platform is turned one
fifth of the circumference, the slides are replaced and the operation of the previous
day is repeated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with a smoke stack, an annular vault surrounding said smoke
stack and communicating with the same and a combustion chamber which com-
municates with the annular vault, of a rotary floor fitted into the annular vault
substantially as described.
2. The combination with a smoke stack of an annular vault surrounding the
smoke stack, channels leading from the vault into the smoke stack, a rotary floor
fitted into the annular vault, flues L formed in said rotary floor and a combustion
chamber communicating with the annular vault substantially as described.
3. The combination with a emoke stack of an annular vault surrounding the
smoke stack, channels p¹ leading from the annular vault into the smoke stack, a
combustion chamber communicating with the annular vault, a tunnel which
partially extends round the annular vault, means for closing the ends of the tunnel,
a duct 16 leading from the channels p' into one end of the tunnel and a duct 17
leading from the other end of the tunnel into the smoke stack substantially as
described.
4. The combination with a smoke stack, an annular vault surrounding said smoke

page_text: stack and communicating with the same, a combustion chamber which communicates
with the annular vault and a rotary floor fitted into the annular vault of movable
slides fitting the annular vault and serving to partition the same off into several
divisions substantially as described.
5. The combination with a smoke stack, an annular vault surrounding said smoke
stack and communicating with its interior and a rotary floor fitted into the annular
vault of an arched chamber H formed on top of the annular vault and communi-
cating with the same through openings Q. means substantially as described for
introducing fuel into this arched chamber and openings or louvres for admitting
fresh air into the chamber substantially as described.
6. The combination with a smoke stack, an annular vault surrounding said smoke
stack and communicating with its interior and a rotary floor fitted into the annular
vault of two arched chambers H¹ H2 formed on top of the annular vault and
communicating with each other, means substantially as described for introducing
fuel into the arched chamber H¹ openings or louvres for admitting fresh air into
the arched chamber H2 and means for beating the air in its passage through the
chamber H2 substantially as described.
7. The combination with a smoke stack, an annular vault surrounding said smoke
stack and communicating with its interior, a rotary floor fitted into the angular
vault and movable slides fitting the annular vault and serving to partition the same
off into several divisions, of a combustion chamber communicating with one of the
divisions of the arched vault and an aperture communicating with a different
division of the arched vault and serving to introduce the materials to be burnt and
an aperture communicating with another division of the arched vault and serving
to remove the materials which have been burnt substantially as described.
8. The combination with a smoke stack, an annular vault surrounding said smoke
stack and communicating with the same, a combustion chamber which communicates
with the annular vault and a rotary floor fitted into the annular vault, of circular
tracks R secured on the bottom of the annular vault and rolling supports b secured
to the rotary floor substantially as described.
Dated this 15th day of May 1894.