A Process and Appliance for Electrically Treating Gaseous and other Bodies, a New Compound Gas Made by such Process, and Apparatus for Producing and Consuming said Gaseous Product.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Process and Appliance for Electrically Treating Gaseous and other
Bodies, a New Compound Gas Made by such Process, and
Apparatus for Producing and Consuming said Gaseous Product.
Í THURSTON GORDON HALL of 630-632 Temple Court Chicago, in the
County of Cook, and State of Illinois, one of the United States of America,
Chemist, 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 :—
This invention relates to the decomposition of compound bodies, the recombina-
tion of the elements thereof, and also the obtaining of new compound bodies
composed of these and other elements, and refers more particularly to producing
desired results of the kind named, by, with, or in the presence of electric action or
phenomena, whereby new compound bodies, composed of elements not heretofore so
chemically combined, are obtained.
The principal purpose of this invention is to provide means and methods whereby
compound bodies will be decomposed and the elements thereof, together with one
or more other elements, recombined in a true chemical union induced by the electric,
electro-chemical, catalytic, or other action obtaining in the presence of electric
action or phenomena, such elements having hitherto been only mechanically united.
An instance of the results obtainable is found in the fixed inflammable gas,
composed of oxygen, hydrogen aud carbon chemically united, and nitrogen; or
oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen, chemically united, hereinafter described.
In carrying out my invention I have found it necessary to obtain a pyro-
electric generator, or battery, by means of which electric action can be produced,
and by which fluid or other materials adapted to be forced through the generator
or battery may and will, while contained in the generator, be subjected to the
electric action obtaining therein, and an electric, electro-chemical, or other action
thereby be effected on such fluid or other materials.
To obtain an element particularly well adapted to form, in combination with
additional and duplicate elements, such pyro-electric generator or battery.
To obtain an apparatus whereof the pyro-electric generator or battery above
described is an element, which apparatus shall be adapted to be used in the
carrying on of a process for the manufacture of a new compound gas, such new
compound gas forming a part of my invention;
And a further object of my invention is to obtain a continuous process by the
aid of such apparatus, of making such compound gas from carbonaceous material,
air and steam.
I have illustrated the several devices whereby I reduce my invention to practice
in the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof, in which
Figure 1, is a side elevation of a compound gas generating apparatus making use
of all the several devices embodying my invention;
Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3, a front elevation of such apparatus, and of an air blower attached
thereto;
Fig. 4, a top plan view of such apparatus and air blower;
Fig. 5, a side elevation of a pyro-electric generator forming an element in the
gas generating apparatus ;
Fig. 6, a horizontal sectional view of the pyro-electric generator illustrated in
Fig. 5, on line 6-6 of such fig. and viewed in the direction indicated by the

page_text: Fig. 7, a perspective view of one of the elements of the pyro-electric generator;
Fig. 8, a longitudinal sectional view of a gas generating apparatus and gas
burning apparatus combined, placed under a boiler for generating steam; and
Fig. 9, a sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 8, viewed in the direction indicated
by the arrows.
The same letter of reference is employed throughout the several figures to
indicate a given part where more than one view thereof is illustrated.
A. is an element preferably used by me in the construction of a pyro-electric
generator, and consists of porous cup a, material B contained therein, porous
cup
a' embedded in material B and material C contained in the cup a¹.
do not wish it to be understood that the element A, constructed precisely as
illustrated in Fig. 7, wherein the cups are made of porous non-electric conducting
material, preferably the silica cup known in the art as the Hessian crucible, one
of such cups containing material of opposite electric polarity to the material
contained in the other of said cups, as say iron in cup a and copper in cup a¹,
must necessarily be used; as a pyro-electric generator or battery can be con-
structed wherein the material of one electric polarity, as iron, is contained in one
porous cup and material of opposite electric polarity, as copper, is contained in
another and separate porous cup, and indeed for certain uses, all of such cups can
be omitted, and the materials of opposite electric polarity only used, in the manner
hereinafter set forth.
In the construction of a pyro-electric generator of elements A, such elements
are disposed in a closed receptacle, as X, Fig. 5, having an inlet and an outlet,
as X1 X2, Fig. 5, so that series of passage ways will extend through the receptacle,
as ways D D D, Fig. 5, from the inlet to the outlet, so that fluid passing through
the generator will extend through such passage-ways and while contained therein be
subjected to the electric, electro-chemical, catalytic or other action obtaining in the
generator; and of whatever elements the pyro-electric generator is constructed,
such elements must be disposed so as to obtain series of passage-ways, through
which the fluid to be affected by the action obtaining in the generator may pass.
Where the pyro-electric generator forms an element in a gas generator of the
kind berein illustrated and described, I have found that by properly controlling
the heat in the gas generator very good results are obtained, that is to say, the
pyro-electric generator is practically operative, if the porous cups are omitted, as
in such case, in the operation of the machine, a coating of carbon will form or be
formed upon the materials of opposite electric polarities to sufficiently separate
material of one electric polarity from material of opposite electric polarity.
I will now proceed to describe the apparatus used in the continuous manufacture,
by the process embodying my invention, of a fixed or permanent fuel gas, such
apparatus being illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, of the drawings and forming a
part of the complete apparatus therein illustrated, such complete apparatus being
designed to produce, by this process, a fixed or permanent illuminating gas, that is,
a gas containing more carbon than is required in a fuel gas.
An apparatus for continuously manufacturing a fixed or permanent fuel gas, by
the process embodying my invention, and of burning the same as manufactured, is
illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, but my description will first be confined
to the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.
E, E, are, respectively, duplicate combustion chambers. I construct the combustion
chambers E, E, respectively, (as well the mixing chambers and the regenerating
chambers hereinafter described), with an outer wall or casing e, of sheet metal,
preferably boiler iron, having therein a lining e', of fire-brick or other suitable
refractory material. In the drawings the casing of sheet metal is illustrated by a
single line, such casing not being of great thickness and the drawings being greatly
reduced. e², e², are doors in the respective combustion chambers EE for cleaning
purposes. These doors are constructed so as to be tightly closed during the
operation of the apparatus by a clamp e³ and set-screw e, in the ordinary way of
sealing doors and man-holes.

page_text: F is an air blower or compressor, and is a conduit extending therefrom to the
several discharge conduits, f¹, extending into the combustion chambers E, E,
respectively, near the base thereof, through which air is forced into the combustion
chambers to maintain combustion therein of the carbonaceous material, preferably
coal, (or coal and oil), used in the manufacture of the gas.
G, G, are steam pipes, having, respectively, discharge pipes g 9, by which steam can
be forced into the combustion chamber. G' is a steam pipe, which may be used for
forcing steam into the products of combustion obtained in the combustion chamber,
and is the delivery end thereof. G2 is a steam pipe extending into the recess G³,
forming a steam passage way opening into the combustion chamber around rod H
extending through the top of such combustion chamber. The rod H is part of a
stoker for mechanically breaking down the crust, which is continuously forming in
the combustion chamber in the operation of the apparatus, as described in the
Specification of Letters Patent No. 6551A of 1893.
I is a pipe by which oil may be delivered to the combustion chamber, whenever
it is desired to employ oil as fuel. It is not, however, necessary to use any oil for
fuel in the manufacture of gas by this process, as such gas can be made from coal
alone. And, too, if it be desired to use oil in combination with coal, for fuel, such
oil can be introduced together with steam in pipes G1, G2, or either of them; where
oil alone is used though, I prefer to introduce it directly into the combustion
chamber through pipe I.
J, J, are mixing chambers, containing therein a filling of refractory material J',
as fire brick, arranged as illustrated in Fig. 2, to form a series of passage ways
therethrough, through which passage ways the products of combustion in combustion
chamber E, together with steam mixed therewith, may extend from the combustion
chamber to the regenerating chamber K. The filling J' may be omitted from the
mixing chamber, J, and such mixing chamber be thereby made to form a conduit
or way from the combustion chamber E to the regenerating chamber K. In the
regenerating chamber K a number of the elements A, or the equivalent of such
elements, are disposed, as illustrated in Fig. 2, to constitute a pyro-electric battery,
such as is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, and herein before described. k is a conduit
or passage extending from the regenerating chamber K.
To enable me to continuously feed carbonaceous fuel, as coal, to the combustion
chamber E while the device is in operation, I provide hopper L, horizontal
cylinder L opening into the combustion chamber, and piston L2 in cylinder L'.
Piston L is moved backward and forward in cylinder L' by the rotation of
wheel, rigidly secured on crank shaft through the connecting link or rod P.
L3 is the driving chain or belt by which the wheel is rotated. L is a distributing
hopper, from which conduits, 1, extend into the respective hoppers L, and 13, 13, are,
respectively, valves in conduits 1, adapted to close the conduits against the pressure
existing in the combustion chamber in the operation of the apparatus. 15 is a slide
in conduit L, forming a valve against the pressure existing in hopper L' when
valve is open.
L is a horizontal coal conveyor adapted to receive coal hoisted and delivered
thereto by elevator L' and extending from elevator L' to conduit L. 16 is a
rotatable screw in conveyor L. is the elevator driving chain or belt. L³ is the
main driving shaft and 18 is the driving chain or belt of screw 16.
The process of making a fixed or permanent fuel gas by the hereinbefore
described apparatus, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, of the drawings, is: -
Carbonaceous fuel, as say, coal, is supplied to one of the combustion chambers E E.
The coal is ignited, doors e², e², firmly closed and air supplied to the combustion
chamber through ways f', by blower F and forced into the combustion chamber in
sufficient quantity to support combustion, and to produce enough pressure in such
combustion chamber to force the products of combustion, or partial combustion,
therefrom, to and through the mixing chamber and the regenerating chamber
adjacent thereto. Steam from pipes G, G1, G2, or from some one or more of them,

page_text: is forced into and mechanically mixed with the products obtained in the combustion
chamber, and the mechanically mixed steam and products from the combustion
chamber will pass through the series of passage ways, formed by the filling in the
mixing chamber when such filling, as is preferably the case, is used, and from the
mixing chamber the mechanically mixed or intermingled steam and products of
combustion, pass into the regenerating chamber K, through the series of passage
ways formed by the arrangement as described of the elements A, or their
equivalents in the regenerating chamber; and from the regenerating chamber K
the fuel gas, (which in its passage through the series of passage ways in the
regenerating chamber will have become a permanent inflammable gas), will pass in
and through conduit k and can be taken therefrom and used as a fuel gas.
I have found by experiment and by the working of plants adapted to carry on
the last described process on a commercial scale, that where the materials contained
in the elements A, are of opposite electric polarity, as say, copper and iron,
arranged as described in elements A, A, or in any way so that materials of opposite
electric polarities will not come in contact with each other, the clements of the
mechanically mixed steam and products of the combustion chamber will separate,
or become separated into a nascent condition, and then will immediately recombine
into a permanent inflammable gas, containing the elements hereinbefore described,
and as the same extend through the regenerating chamber K, while so recombining,
sufficient heat will be generated in such regenerating chamber to enable me to con-
tinuously maintain the operation of the plant and the carrying on of the process.
I have also found that where the number of receptacles or the quantity of materials
of opposite electric polarities arranged as described in the regenerating chamber,
is in excess of the number or quantity required to enable me to continuously carry
on the process of making a permanent inflammable gas, as described, the heat in
such regenerating chamber, (or chambers, if more than one thereof be used), will
continuously become greater until such heat is so intense as to necessitate a
temporary cessation of the passage of such materials through the regenerating
chamber, and so allow such over-heated regenerating chamber to cool down
sufficiently to be again used, and hence, particularly to enable me to produce
varying quantities of gas from a given apparatus by this process, I construct the
duplicate combustion, mixing, and regenerating chambers, arranged as illustrated
in Figs. 3 and 4.
In the continuous carrying on of the process of making gas by the aid of this
apparatus, the coal employed as carbonaceous fuel is intermittently supplied through
the several hoppers and conduits and from cylinder L' to the combustion chamber,
and the stoker described is intermittently raised and allowed to fall on, and so
break down, the arch or crust which is continuously forming in the combustion
chamber.
Where oil or other liquid fuel is used it can be continuously supplied to the
combustion chamber through pipe I, or, if preferred through pipes G, G², mixed
with steam.
Where a gas rich in carbon, and thereby particularly well adapted to be used for
illuminating purposes, is desired to be obtained by this process, the fuel gas obtained
as described, while in its heated condition, is delivered from passage way k into a
second chamber E¹, termed by me a carburetting chamber, and carbonaceous
material, as coal, oil or the like, is supplied thereto. If such carbonaceous material
be coal it is supplied to the carburetted chamber E' in substantially the same manner
as to combustion chambers E, E, respectively, (no additional air or steam being
supplied, however), and the heated fuel gas passing through the body of carbonaceous
material, takes up an additional quantity of carbon, and the mixture is then
conducted to and through an additional regenerating chamber, as K', con-
structed substantially the same as
the hereinbefore described regenerating
chambers K K.
In the passage of the fuel gas, carburetted as described, through the regenerating

page_text: chamber K¹ a similar condition will obtain as in the regenerating chambers KK,
respectively, and thereby a permanent illuminating gas, or a permanent carburetted
fuel gas is produced.
Where coal and a hydro-carbon, or coal sufficiently rich in volatile matter is
employed for fuel in combustion chambers E E, respectively, the fuel gas produced
by the herein before described process may be used for illuminating purposes, as
well as for those certain fuel purposes requiring a gas rich in carbon, for instance, in
the working of certain metals; but a preferable process of making such a permanent
inflammable gas is furnished by this apparatus by means of the carburetter E' and
an additional regenerator K¹.
In the practical making of gas by this process, I have found, at times, free nitrogen
intermingled with the chemically united carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, such
a gas being frequently obtained by this process in producing gas in large quantities
with unskilled workmen controlling the apparatus, but whether the gas produced
by this process be a compound gas whereof the elements, viz.: carbon, oxygen,
hydrogen and nitrogen are chemically united, or a gas whereof the elements, carbon,
oxygen, and hydrogen are chemically united and nitrogen intermingled therewith,
the gas produced can be cooled, piped to any distance and burned either as a fuel
or illuminating gas. And, too, either of the gases can be exposed to a temperature
below zero without condensing or dropping the carbon therefrom.
In the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, wherein it is designed to produce
by the hereinbefore described process an inflammable gas and to burn such gas at
the time of its production or immediately thereafter, and to thereby utilize,-
-as for
the generation of steam, the heat generated in the manufacture of the gas, and
in the burning thereof. M is a closed receptacle as a boiler: N, the fire-box or
combustion chamber of the boiler, n, the door, by means of which the carbonaceous
material, as coal, is introduced into the fire-box; N' the ash pit, n' the door thereof,
and O the bridge wall. G is a steam pipe, ggs, the discharge pipes from steam
pipe G, and P a series of elements A, or their equivalent, arranged to the rear of
the bridge wall to form a pyro-electric generator. Qis a wall forming the back
wall of the receptacle containing the pyro-electric generator; QQ are the side
walls thereof. the inlet to such receptacle, and q' the outlet therefrom. R is an
air inlet extending from the ash pit N' into the receptacle containing the pyro-
electric generator at a point therein near the outlet thereof. R is an air conduit
or passage way, and R' R² are air outlets from air conduit R' opening
immediately. adjacent to the outlet 7 from the receptacle containing the pyro-
electric generator.
The process of manufacturing gas by the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9
and last above described, is the same as the hereinbefore described process of
manufacturing fuel gas, and the carbonaceous fuel employed is such as is commonly
used in the fire box or furnace under boilers; but the natural draft of the furnace
is, wherever the same is sufficient, used to obtain the required circulation of steam
and products of combustion through the apparatus. The operation is as follows:
Carbonaceous fuel is placed in the fire-box N and ignited, air to support combustion
is supplied thereto, steam is admitted through the discharge pipe yg to mix with
the products of combustion obtained in the combustion chamber, and the inter-
mingled steam and products of combustion, are passed through the series of passage
ways in the pyro-electric generator and out therefrom, through outlet . In order
to burn such gas, additional air is admitted through air conduits R, or if preferred,
through air discharge pipes R2 or both. Immediate combustion of the gas produced
is thereby obtained.
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. A pyro-electric generator, constructed of elements of opposite electric
polarities, separated from each other so that material of one electric polarity is not

page_text: in contact with material of opposite electric polarity, and arranged so that fluids
can be forced through the series of passages formed in the massing of the elements
of the generator; substantially as described.
2. A pyro-electric generator constructed of elements of opposite electric
polarities separated from each other by porous insulating material, arranged so
that heated gaseous material can be forced through the series of passages formed
by the interstices obtaining in the pyro-electric pile constituting such generator ;
substantially as described.
3. A pyro-electric generator consisting of an insulating casing, a series of
elements arranged therein to form a series of passage-ways therethrough, such
elements consisting of materials of opposite electric polarity separated from each
other by porous insulating material, and inlet and outlet pipes through such casing;
substantially as described.
in
4. An element of a pyro-electric generator consisting of a porous cup, and a
second and smaller porous insulating cup contained in the first named cup
combination with material contained in one of said cups and material of
opposite electric polarity contained in the other of said cups; substantially as
.described.
5. A filling for the regenerating chamber of a gas machine, composed of
materials of opposite electric polarities, arranged so that materials of opposite
electric polarities will not come in contact with each other; substantially as
described.
6. In a gas machine, a regenerator consisting of a chamber having an inlet and
an outlet, and a filling contained therein composed of materials of opposite electric
polarities, the materials of opposite polarities not coming in electrical contact with
each other, and so arranged as to form series of gas passages through the chamber;
substantially as described.
7. The combination in a gas apparatus of a converter having a combustion
chamber and a regenerating chamber communicating therewith, such regenerating
chamber having a filling therein of materials having opposite electric polarities
arranged so that materials of opposite polarities will not come in contact with
each other and such filling forming a series of gas passages; substantially as
.described.
8. In a gas machine, a mixing chamber having an inlet and an outlet and series
of gas passages therethrough, formed by a filling of refractory material, in com-
bination with a regenerator consisting of a chamber having an inlet and an outlet,
and a filling contained therein composed of materials of opposite electric polarities
not coming in electrical contact with each other and so arranged as to form series
of gas passages through the chamber; substantially as described.
9. A gas generating apparatus consisting of a combustion chamber, a mixing
chamber into which the heated products from the combustion chamber may be
delivered, a regenerating chamber having a passage way extending thereinto from
the mixing chamber, a filling of material of opposite electric polarities arranged in
the regenerating chamber so that material of one polarity will not come in contact
with material of opposite polarity and to form series of gas passage ways there-
through, an air supply extending into the combustion chamber at the base thereof,
and steam supply extending through the walls of the apparatus, and adapted to
discharge steam into the heated products obtained from the combustion of the
carbonaceous fuel; substantially as described.
10. A gas generating apparatus consisting of a combustion chamber, an air
supply extending into the combustion chamber at the base thereof, and a steam
supply extending through the walls of the apparatus and adapted to discharge
steam into the heated products obtained from the combustion of carbonaceous fuel
in the combustion chamber, a mixing chamber into which the products of the
combustion chamber with the steam are delivered, a regenerating chamber con-
nected with the mixing chamber, a curburetting chamber adapted to contain
carbonaceous material into which the regenerating chamber extends, and a second

page_text: regenerating chamber having a passage way extending thereinto from the
carburetting chamber, both of such regenerating chambers containing a filling
composed of materials of opposite electric polarities, arranged so that materials of
opposite electric polarities will not come in contact with each other, and so that
series of gas passages will extend therethrough; substantially as described.
11. A gas generating apparatus consisting of more than one combustion
chamber, an air supply extending into each one of the combustion chambers at the
base thereof, and a steam supply extending through the walls of the apparatus and
adapted to discharge steam into the heated products obtained from the combustion
of carbonaceous fuel in the respective combustion chambers, mixing chambers into
which the products of the combustion chambers with the steam are respectively
delivered, regenerating chambers connected respectively with the mixing chambers,
a carburetting chamber adapted to contain carbonaceous material into which the
regenerating chambers extend, and an additional regenerating chamber having a
passage-way extending thereinto from the carburetting chamber, all of such regene-
rating chambers containing a filling composed of materials of opposite electric
polarities, arranged so that materials of opposite polarities will not come in contact
with each other, and so that series of gas-passages will extend therethrough ;
substantially as described.
12. In a steam generating boiler and furnace, a steam supply pipe extending into
the furnace, a number of elements consisting of materials of opposite electric
polarities separated from each other, so that material of one polarity does not come
in contact with material of opposite electric polarity, forming series of passage ways,
and arranged underneath the boiler so that the products generated in the fire box
of the furnace, together with the steam delivered thereto, and mixed therewith, will
pass through such series of passage ways, in combination with an air conduit
delivering into the gas obtained thereby, whereby combustion of such gas will be
effected; substantially as described.
13. The continuous process of making gas, which consists in burning carbonaceous
fuel, supplying air to said fuel, forcing steam into the products of combustion,
mixing the steam and products of combustion, and then conducting the mixture
through a heated regenerator filled with materials of opposite electric polarities,
such filling being so disposed as to leave passages for the gas therethrough ;
substantially as described.
14. The continuous process of making gas, which consists in burning carbon-
aceous fuel, supplying air under pressure to said fuel, mechanically breaking down
the arch or crust which forms in the combustion of such fuel, forcing steam into the
products of combustion, mixing the steam and products of combustion, and then
conducting the mixture through a heated regenerator filled with materials of opposite
electric polarities, such filling being so disposed as to leave passages for the gas
therethrough; substantially as described.
15. The continuous process of making gas, which consists in burning carbon-
aceous fuel in one of a series of closed combustion chambers, supplying air
under pressure to said fuel, forcing steam into the products of combustion, mixing
the steam and products of combustion, and then conducting the mixture through a
heated regenerator filled with materials of opposite electric polarities, such filling
being so disposed as to leave passages for the gas therethrough; substantially as
described.
16. The continuous process of making gas which consists in burning carbon-
aceous fuel, supplying air under pressure to said fuel, forcing steam into the
products of combustion, mixing the steam and products of combustion, conducting
the mixture through a heated regenerator filled with materials of opposite electric
polarities, such filling being so disposed as to leave passages for the gas therethrough,
in carburetting the heated compound gas thus obtained, and then conducting the
mixture through an additional regenerator, having filling of opposite electric
polarities, so disposed as to leave passages for the gas therethrough; substantially
as described.

page_text: 17. The process of making and burning gas, which consists in the combustion of
carbonaceous material in the fire box of a furnace underneath a receptacle, wherein
material to be heated is contained, as a boiler containing water to be converted into
steam; then supplying and mixing steam to and with the products of combustion,
then conducting the mixture through a filling of materials of opposite electric
polarities so disposed as to leave passage ways therethrough, and then supplying air
to the gas obtained thereby, and so effecting combustion thereof underneath such
receptacle; substantially as described.
18. A fixed inflammable fuel or illuminating gas consisting of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen and nitrogen chemically combined; substantially as described.
19. A fixed inflammable fuel or illuminating gas, consisting of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen and nitrogen, chemically combined, and nitrogen in a gascous form inter-
mingled therewith; substantially as described.
1009
R. HADDAN,
Herbert Haddan & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, Agent for Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Appliance for Breaking Down Crust in Gas Producers.
1 THURSTON GORDON HALL of 630-632 Temple Court, Chicago, in the
County of Cook and State of Illinois, one of the United States of America,
Chemist 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 :-
This invention consists in apparatus for breaking down the crust in the com-
bustion chamber of a gas producing apparatus or the like.
In the drawings
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the same showing the combustion chamber A in section.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the upper part of the mechanism.
At the lower end of rod H, and within the combustion chamber A, there is
placed head H' having the conical upper surface h. Head H¹ is preferably circular
in cross section, horizontally and forms in combination with the rod H a stoker for
mechanically breaking down the crust which is continuously forming in the
combustion chamber A. To effect such breaking down of the crust, the stoker is
raised by winding the connection ', which is attached at one end to rod H,
around the drum H². The drum H2 is revolved by the belt through the
pulley H³, the ratchet wheel ³ and dog H. The dog H is arranged to be
automatically released from the ratchet wheel ³ when the connection has been
wound round drum H² sufficiently to raise rod H to the position illustrated in
Fig. 1. This release of dog H may be effected by its striking against the
arm h¹.
To hold up the rod H in a raised position illustrated in Fig. 1, after the release
of the dog H from ratchet wheel until it is desired to let the stoker fall, the
pivoted latch lever H is provided to lock or latch under the stop h³ on rod H.
This latch can be drawn back when desired by hand through handle H and
strap piece, or it may be done mechanically after an interval of time by the
pin on disk H' driven by worm wheel and worm from bevelled gear HB on
shaft of pulley H³.
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.
For breaking down crust in a gas making apparatus, the gear consisting of rod H
with head H, flexible connection ', drum H2, the latter being revolved by
pulley H, ratchet wheel and dog H, so that the latter is released by arm h
when the rod H is raised, whereby the rod H falls, or is supported by latch /³
until released by hand through handle H and strap piece / or automatically by
pin ' on disk H', worm and worm wheel / and bevelled gear H³, substantially as
described.
MAARVE
R. HADDAN,
Of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agent to Applicant.