IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND MOULDING ARTIFICIAL FUEL, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR MOULDING OTHER MATERIALS
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Bolton, of St. Helen's Works, Swansea,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREPARING
AND MOULDING ARTIFICIAL FUEL, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR MOULDING OTHER
MATERIALS."
Sealed the 3rd November 1874, and dated the 27th August 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Bolton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th August 1874.
I, JAMES BOLTON, of St. Helen's Works, Swansea, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
PREPARING AND MOULDING ARTIFICIAL FUEL, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR MOULDING
OTHER MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for
preparing and moulding artificial fuel, applicable also for moulding
other materials.
When making artificial fuel from a mixture of coal dust and powdered

page_text: same time that it is conveyed into the moulds by employing a pug
mill, which (in addition to being heated by means of a jacket) has
heating surfaces within its body, by preference in the form of tubes
extending from side to side of the body, and communicating with the
jacket on either side. Or in place of tubes hollow shelves may be fixed
within the body of the pug mill, or the agitator shaft and agitators may
be made hollow, and be supplied with steam or other heated fluid.
The moulding machine I employ is of a well known type, the material
issues from the bottom of the pug mill into moulding cavities formed in
the surface of a massive disc mounted horizontally and rotated step by
step by a ratchet and driver. The moulding cavities are closed at the
bottom, each by a ram supported upon a fixed incline. After each
moulding cavity has been filled by passing beneath the pug mill, it, by
the further rotation of the disc is brought under a fixed cover plate and
over a rocking lever actuated by steam working in a cylinder containing
a piston, to the rod of which the pressing lever is attached. The rocking
lever as it rises lifts the ram and compresses the material in the mould
until it forms a solid block. After the pressure has been given, and the
block thus moulded, it is discharged after a further rotation of the disc
by the rising of the ram caused by the incline beneath it.
The construction of the moulding machine thus generally stated is
not new, but in the arrangement of the parts I have made several
improvements. The frame is formed in such manner as to enclose the
gear wheels and moving parts to prevent the deposit of the adhesive
dust upon them, which is a frequent cause of fracture in these machines.
The rams are supported upon rollers running on the incline, and these
are enclosed within the sides of the rams, which extend beneath the
roller on either side of it. The driver, which rotates the disc in which
the moulding cavities are formed, is made to actuate a locking pawl.
The driver receives motion from a crank, and has a pin upon it which
traverses to and fro in a slot formed in an arm connected with the
locking pawl. The varying angular positions of the driver as one
extremity of it is carried round by the crank causes the slotted arm to
receive a rocking motion, and the locking pawl being connected with
it is at each forward motion of the driver moved inwards in the way of
ratchet teeth upon the disc in time to prevent the disc overrunning,
and the locking pawl is lifted again out of the way of the ratchet teeth
before the next forward motion of the driver commences..

page_text: In order that the moulded blocks. may be readily broken into smaller
pieces of regular size I fix ribs within the mouths or upon the rams, or
both; and these ribs produce grooves in the moulded blocks sufficiently
deep to determine fracture along these lines. Or sometimes I produce
the grooves by means of a small plunger working through the cover
plate and coupled with the steam pressing cylinder.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said James Bolton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 26th February 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
BOLTON, of St. Helen's Works, Swansea, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said James Bolton, "Her special
license that I, the said James Bolton, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said James Bolton, 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 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
APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND MOULDING ARTIFICIAL FUEL, APPLICABLE ALSO
FOR MOULDING OTHER MATERIALS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said James Bolton, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly 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 immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.

page_text: :
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for
preparing and moulding artificial fuel, applicable also for moulding
other materials.
When making artificial fuel from a mixture of coal dust and powdered
pitch, or such like material, I apply dry heat to the material conveyed
into the moulds by employing a pug mill, which (in addition to being
heated by means of a jacket) has heating surfaces within its body, by
preference in the form of tubes extending from side to side of the body
and communicating with the jacket on either side.. Or in place of tubes
hollow shelves may be fixed within the body of the pug mill, or the
agitator shaft and agitators may be made hollow, and be supplied with
steam or other heated fluid.
The moulding machine I employ is of a well known type, the material
issues from the bottom of the pug mill into moulding cavities formed in
the surface of a massive disc mounted horizontally and rotated step by
step by a ratchet and driver. The moulding cavities are closed at the
bottom, each by a ram supported upon a fixed incline. After each
moulding' cavity has been filled by passing beneath the pug mill, it by
the further rotation of the disc is brought under a fixed cover plate and
over a rocking lever actuated by steam working in a cylinder containing
a piston, to the rod of which the pressing lever is attached. The rocking
lever as it rises lifts the ram and compresses the material in the mould
until it forms a solid block. After the pressure has been given, and the
block thus moulded, it is discharged after a further rotation of the disc
by the rising of the ram caused by the incline beneath it.
The construction of the moulding machine thus generally stated is
not new, but in the arrangement of the parts I have made several
improvements. The frame is formed in such manner as to enclose the
gear wheels and moving parts to prevent the deposit of the adhesive
dust upon them, which is a frequent cause of fracture in these machines.
The rams are supported upon rollers running on the incline, and these
are enclosed within the sides of the rams, which extend beneath the
roller on either side of it. The driver, which rotates the disc in which
the moulding cavities are formed, is made to actuate a locking pawl.
The driver receives motion from a crank, and has a pin upon it which

page_text: traverses to and fro in a slot formed in an arm connected with the
locking pawl. The varying angular positions of the driver, as one
extremity of it is carried round by the crank, causes the slotted arm to
receive a rocking motion, and the locking pawl being connected with it
is at each forward motion of the driver moved inwards in the way of
ratchet teeth upon the disc in time to prevent the disc overrunning, and
the locking pawl is lifted again out of the way of the ratchet teeth
before the next forward motion of the driver commences.
In order that the moulded blocks may be readily broken into smaller
pieces of regular size I fix ribs within the moulds or upon the rams, or
both; and these ribs produce grooves in the moulded blocks sufficiently
deep to determine fracture along these lines. Or sometimes I produce
the grooves by means of a small plunger working through the cover
plate and coupled with the steam pressing cylinder.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings
hereunto annexed

page_text: Sheet. No. 6 relates to a modification where a mixing pan is interposed
between the pug mill and the moulding cavities or dies, and shews a
vertical and two horizontal sections taken on the lines A, B, C, D,
and E, F, on the same Sheet. A, A, is the frame of the machine, it is
so arranged as to enclose the gear wheels and moving parts.
See pitch lines of these
Motion is given to machine by a belt working on to a pulley (a)
keyed on to a shaft (6), a loose pulley is shewn by side of pulley (a)..
On shaft (b) is keyed a bevilled pinion (c) (see Sheet No. 3) which
gears with a bevil wheel (d) keyed on to a shaft (e) which passes
upwards through pug (ƒ) for a purpose to be hereafter explained. 1
Beneath the wheel (d) and on the shaft (e) is keyed a wheel (g) which
gears into a wheel (h) keyed on to a shaft (i).
wheels in plans of the Drawings Sheets Nos. 1* and 3. The shaft (i) is
carried up through bed plate of machine, and has keyed on it a crank
or disc (k) with crank pin (1), to which is attached the eye of pawl (m). ]
Rotary motion being given to crank by pulley (a) through train of
wheels described above, a to-and-fro motion will be given to end of
pawl (m) removed from (2), which end engaging during the forward
motion of crank pin (7) with teeth (n) on table (o). Rotary motion
will be given to table (o) which revolves about a centre (p). In the 2
return motion of crank pin (1) the pawl (m) slides over teeth (") of
table (o) without giving motion to table, and thus it receives an
intermittent rotary motion.
(a) is a cylinder fitted with a piston (61) and piston rod (c'), to which
is attached a cross head (d'). The rod (c¹) is continued below cross
head (d) and terminated by a buffer head (e¹), which by striking
block (f) at bottom and cross bar (¹) at top limits the stroke of
piston (6), and prevents it from striking either end of cylinder (a¹). In
cross head (d) is placed a block (¹), through it is passed a pin (²),
which also passes through beam (¹), and piston rod (c¹), and beam )k³) :
are thus connected. Clearance is allowed, as shewn on either side of
block (¹) to admit of motion of pin (i) attached to beam (¹) vibrating
from pin (7). In beam k is placed a striker (m²) with roller underneath,
and at certain times stamps (¹) working in dies (0¹) contained in
circular table (o) are brought over striker (m³). The top of die (0¹) is a
closed by part of an entablature (p').
Piston (6¹) is raised by steam being admitted underneath it by means

page_text: the Drawings. The top side of piston is continually allowed a free
exhaust. The piston (6') when raised and cylinder (a¹) filled with steam
can be lowered by steam being exhausted, by placing the exhaust cavity
of the slide valve over the ports to top and bottom of cylinder. The
weight of beam piston and rod is sufficient to return the stroke. The
beam (¹) being connected by rod (c¹) to piston (6¹) receives motion from
it. The piston rod being raised the beam (k¹) is also lifted, and the
striker (m) comes in contact with stamp (n³) and the piston continuing its
stroke raises the stamp (n') forcibly, and presses material contained by
the die (0¹) against resistance offered by entablature (p¹) until the
piston (6) has completed its stroke. The piston and beams are then
lowered as has been already explained, and the stamp (r') relieved from
pressure can fall to its first position, which is, as shewn in "section on
line C, D," Sheet No. 2, on right hand side.
The material to be pressed is fed into top of pug (ƒ), there heated and
mixed by means hereafter described. It then passes down and out at
bottom, either through a shoot (r) Sheet No. 3, or opening (8)
Sheet No. 4, under which the dies (0¹) are brought by the intermittent
rotary motion of the table (o). The pawl (m) moves the dies (o') forward
at every stroke the distance. between the centres of dies, so that if a die
were beneath centre of entablature (p') at end of one stroke of pawl.(m),
at the next stroke the die immediately, behind the one, under entablature
would move to centre.
The table (o) contains, as shewn, ten dics (o') and stamps (n) although
more ог less may be used, and by tracing the motion of one of the dies
(o') and stamps (n') it will be seen that after being filled under pug (ƒ)
they are moved on by the action of the pawl (m) on the table (o) until
they arrive under the entablature (p'), and the stamp (¹) being over
striker (m) the upward motion of beam (/') then occurring (as previously
described) the material in die (o') is compressed, and the béam (¹)
lowered. The dic (o') and stamp (n!) move on, the stamp sliding or
rolling up a circular inclined plane (e). The top of stamp (n) withi
pressed material above it is raised through die (o!) to position shewn on
left-hand side of "section on line C, D," Sheet No. 2. They then
having arrived opposite the kicker (""), which 'sweeps the block of
material off face of stamp and table, the stamp (¹) and die (0¹) again
move on until they arrive under opening (8) or shoot (r), during which
movement the stamps are drawn down in die by the stamp (n), sliding

page_text: or rolling down part of inclined plane (e³); until they assume their lowest
position in die, they are again filled, and the course repeated.
It will be seen on Sheet No. 1 that a piece (t) on crank pin (7)
engages with a crank keyed on vertical shaft (w), on the end of which
is a mitre wheel gearing into another on horizontal shaft (v), on which
is an eccentric (x) with rod descending to lever on rocking shaft (y), on
which also is another lever connected to spindle for moving valve. By
this means the valve receives motion; one stroke of valve to one of
pawl (m), thereby opening the bottom port to cylinder, and raising.
piston (6') as each die (o¹) is brought under entablature (p¹).
: On shaft (v) is keyed a crank disc (¹) with pin and roller (¹). A rod
with end, as shewn at (¹), is attached to one end of kicker lever (w¹),
which vibrates on pin (¹). A spring, as shewn, tends to keep rod in
position, shewn in side elevation Drawing No. 2. When shaft (0)
revolves, and with it the crank disc (¹) and pin (¹) the rod is thrust
back to allow pin (¹) to pass that part of rod towards (v¹), but whilst
pin is passing the curved side of rod towards (21) the rod is stationary.
This arrangement gives a sudden movement to end ("") of kicker (w¹),
and thrusts pressed material off die and table. This occurs in backward
motion of pawl (m) when table (o) is standing, the kicker lever (11)
being unmoved when the table (o) is revolving.
The pug (ƒ), as will be seen, is placed over the dies (0¹) without the
intervention of any distributing pan, thereby passing the material
directly into the dies (0¹). There is a jacket (u) round pug (ƒ) filled
with high-pressure steam, supplied direct from a boiler or exhaust steam
from cylinder (a), and tubes (q) are placed across the inside of pug (ƒ).
They are open at ends to steam in jacket (u), thereby providing heated
surface in contact with material in centre of pug as well as on outside.
The tubes (2) may be placed in position shewn on section on line E, F,
Sheet No. 3, although other forms of placing them may be used, and the
number of tubes (9) and height of pug (f) may be varied.
Knives (2) are employed to stir up the material in pug (ƒ). To mix
it they can be made of such shape as to force material downwards. The

page_text: The pug (f) may also be made with hollow shelves (a*), as shown in
Sheet No. 4, projecting into centre of pug (f), and open at edges, with
certain holes (6), to be supplied in the interior with high-pressure steam
or exhaust steam from cylinder (a) through jacket (u). The knives (2)
are employed to sweep off the material from shelf to shelf, which are
placed, as shewn in "section on line J, K," Sheet No. 4, so that the
material may not fall at once to bottom of pug, but on the series of
shelves (a). The material is fed in at top of pug (ƒ). The number of
shelves (a³) may be varied and exact arrangement need not be, as:
shewn in Sheet No. 4. The bottom of pug may be formed, as shewn,
coming level with top of table (o), and the knives (2) in this case sweep:
directly over surface of table (o).
A coil of pipe may be employed fastened to inside of pug, and in
contact with material therein, forming a screw of any convenient pitch
or diameter. This pipe is to be supplied with high-pressure steam or
exhaust from cylinder (a) or elsewhere.
The pug shaft (e) may be surrounded with a jacket, either through
the whole or part of its length within the pug, and ends made steam-
tight against shaft and jacket. High pressure or exhaust steam is sup-
plied to space between shaft and jacket.
Hollow knives in connection with steam in jacket may be formed or
jacket, or solid knives which will revolve with it and shaft.
=
The stamp (n) is carried by a roller (c²) on an incline when ejecting
the pressed material. The roller is covered by the body of stamp (n¹),
and thereby protected from any material falling about the machine.
Also by this arrangement the striker (m') does not come in contact with
roller (c) when pressing up stamp (n¹), but exerts its pressure on body
of stamp (n). Pieces (d2) are fitted in bottom of stamp (n¹) to engage
with projections of side of incline (e") whereon stamp rolls in descending
so as if necessary to drawn down stamp (n¹). A recess (2) is also pro-
vided on each side of stamp (n¹) and a projection (92) on table (o), to
prevent the stamp from falling when unsupported by incline (e²).
A means is also provided by which the table (o) is prevented from
overrunning the distance to which it is made to revolve by the pawl m,
by means of a stop motion, which is shewn especially in Sheets Nos. 1,
1, and 3. To the pawl (m) is fastened a pin and roller (½³), and

page_text: જે
vibrating on a pin is a link k³ or slotted bar in which the roller (h²)
slides; fixed to the link (*) and vibrating on the pin (2) is a stop (1)..
The pin () is shewn carried by snugs (m²) on one of the columns (m²)
which support the entablature (p¹), although it may be carried in other
ways. The link (²) embracing the roller (²) will receive a motion to
and from the table (o), caused by the action of the crank (k) on the
pawl (m); any motion given to the link (*) will also affect the stop (12) ;
and these movements are such, that when the pawl (m) is at its forward
stroke (as is shewn in Sheet No. 3 plan) the stop (1²) is drawn towards
table (o) and faces snugs (0%) fastened to table (o). Any further
motion of table will be checked by snugs (0°) coming in contact with
stop (b).
In the return stroke of pawl (m) the stop (P) will be drawn clear of
table (o), and also for as long a time as is necessary to [allow the
snugs (0³) to pass the stop in the forward stroke of pawl (m), after which
it will be drawn into position shewn in Sheet No. 3 plan. The snugs
and gear are shewn in elevation, Sheets Nos. 1 and 2. It will be seen
that the pawl (m) is always kept in contact with table (o) by means of
rod being attached to pawl and forced against table by bell lever being
weighted as shewn.
An arrangement for cutting into pressed material by a knife or
knives at bottom. One knife is shown in Sheet No. 5, view, lettered A.
The knife (p2) is fastened to top of stamp (n¹), and is forced into material
in the upward motion of stamp when pressed. This allows gas to escapo
and permits of the blocks being readily broken when required for use.
The brick is cut about half through.
Another plan is shewn in Sheet No. 5, view B, where projections (9³)
are made on dies (0¹) at side, thereby making blocks, as shewn in plan.
The projections can be put in other positions and numbers.
Also a mode of cutting into material through cover to die (o¹) at the
same time at which it is pressed, as shewn in Sheet No. 5, view C. A
slot (2), in which a cutter (82) slides is cut in entablature (p)) directly
over the die (0¹) when in position to be pressed. The cutter (s) is nearly
as long as width of die (0¹).
The cutter (83) is connected to a lever (1), one end of which is in a
jaw on entablature (p¹); the other end engages with a rod (u²), which

page_text: is attached to an arm (v²) on beam (¹). It will be seen that when the
beam (¹) is raised by piston (6¹) the arm (v²) is lowered, and with it tho
lever (2), thus forcing the cutter (82) into the material in dic (o¹). As
the beam (¹) is lowered the cutter (82) is withdrawn. Other means may
be used to force down lever (²).
Another arrangement is shewn in Sheet No. 6, where a distributing
pan (as) is placed under pug (f). The shaft (e) passes through pan (a³),
and on shaft (e) are keyed knives (63 and c³). A tray (³) is also pro-
vided with slots (e'), as shewn in section on line E, F. The bottom of
pug (f) is closed by a plate (ƒ³), in which an opening (9³), regulated
by a sliding door (h³), allows material to fall from pug (ƒ) to distributor
pan (a). A part (3) of distributor pan bottom is cut away and the
table (o) brought under (as shewn in section on line A, B,) in such a
manner that the top of table (o) is level with the bottom of inside of
pan (as).
The material falling from pug (f) through opening (g) on to tray (d³)
is swept over and through slots (e³) by knives (6³) to bottom of pan (a³),
where it is again acted on by knives (0³), which carry it round pan (a³)
and distribute it to dies (o¹) in table (o) as they are brought under the
opening (3) through table (o) revolving. Openings (4³) are made in
side of pan (a³) to carry away gas or steam, which may be given off by
material from pug (f). I also propose to cast a chamber (m³) entirely
or partly round the distributing pan (a³), which chamber is supplied with
air from a fan or blower. Holes (22³) are made at intervals in side of
chamber (m³) to communicate with interior of distributing pan (a³), and
thus steam or gas from material collecting in pan (a³) is discharged
through openings (3) by the force of the blast. This arrangement is
shewn in Sheet No. 6 section on line A, B. In this plan the pug ƒ
is not always a necessary part of the machine, but must be considered
as an attachment, since for some materials it is sufficient that they should
be delivered directly into distributing pan (a³). The pug also, as described
here, may be used with other presses. The details of the construction
of the pug mill may also be varied. In some cases, but as I believe less
conveniently, it may be placed in an horizontal position on the cylinder,
or body may be made to rotate, whilst the axis may be held stationary,
but in all cases I apply (in addition to the steam jacket). heating
surfaces, such as I have already described, within the body of the pug
mill.

page_text: I also sometimes make a press having one pug supplying two tables.
A table is placed on either side of pug, and the cylinder, entablature,
dies, incline dolphin beam, piston rod, &c., are in duplicate. The crank
shaft is on centre line of pug at right angles to centre line between
tables. The two pawls are connected to one crank pin, which during
half a revolution gives motion to one table, and in the remaining half
to the other. The driving shaft is also on this centre line.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner of performing the same, I would have it understood that what
I claim is the general arrangement and construction of apparatus for
preparing and moulding artificial fuel (applicable also for moulding
other materials), substantially as described.
I also claim the arrangement and construction of the frame of the
machine, by which the gear wheels and moving parts are enclosed, sub-
stantially as described.
I also claim the arrangement and construction of the pug mill, by
which dry heat is applied to the materials both by means of a jacket
around and by heating surfaces within the body, substantially as de-
scribed.
I also claim the arrangement and construction of the rams or stamps
with their rollers and other parts, substantially as described.
I also claim the arrangement and combination with the driver of a
locking pawl, substantially as described.
I also claim the means, substantially as described, for grooving the
blocks of artificial fuel, so that the blocks may readily fracture along the
lines of the grooves.
JAMES BOLTON. (L.S.)