IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR VENTILATING MINES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES WHERE VENTILATION IS REQUIRED
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Coulson, of Penzance, in the County of
Cornwall, Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR VENTILATING MINES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
PURPOSES WHERE VENTILATION IS REQUIRED."
Scaled the 12th October 1855, and dated the 11th July 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Coulson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th July
1855.
I, JOHN COULSON, of Penzance, in the County of Cornwall, Merchant, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS FOR VENTILATING MINES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO
OTHER PURPOSES WHERE VENTILATION IS REQUIRED," to be as follows:-
My said Invention has for its object the supply of atmospheric air to deep
workings of mines, and to any other situations where such supply may be
desirable, and not otherwise or so effectually obtainable, and is carried into
execution in the following manner :-An artificial reservoir is fixed in such a
position, and at such an elevation with reference to the mine or workings to be
ventilated or supplied with air, as may be considered desirable, having regard
to the details herein-after mentioned. This reservoir may be constructed of

page_text: wood or of any other suitable material, and in the form of a square box, the
dimensions thereof depending upou and being varied according to circumstances;
such reservoir being open at the top, and fitted on two sides with launders or
open troughs or shoots entering the reservoir at the same level, one of such
launders or open troughs or shoots, and which may be called the feeding shoot,
being for the admission of the necessary supply of water, as herein-after
mentioned; and the other of such launders or open troughs or shoots, and
which may be called the waste shoot, being for the escape of any surplus or
greater quantity of water than may be required for the operation in question.
The reservoir may be supplied where practicable from any natural spring or
source which may exist upon or near the same level; but where there is no
such natural supply of water, the necessary quantity may be obtained and
raised to the requisite height by the engine used for the general purposes of the
mine, or in any other way which may be most convenient or practicable. On
one of the remaining sides of the reservoir is fixed a launder or trough or
shoot, opening into the reservoir at a level lower than that of the feeding and
waste shoots herein-before mentioned. In this thirdly-mentioned launder or
trough or shoot, and at a convenient distance from the exterior of the reservoir,
is fixed a tube, which may be constructed of gutta percha or other suitable
material, and which may be carried or extended to any portion of the mine or
other workings which it is desired to ventilate or supply with air. It is
manifest, that as long as the supply of water to the reservoir by means of the
feeding shoot is kept up, there will be a continuous flow of water to the launder
or trough or shoot thirdly above mentioned, and thus to the said tube; and I
propose to regulate the depth of such water so flowing to the said tube by
means of a hatch or slide, working in grooves in the said thirdly-mentioned
launder or trough or shoot, and capable of being adjusted by means of a screw,
or by any other contrivance adapted for that purpose. The quantity of water
escaping from the reservoir and flowing to the tube can thus be regulated with
the greatest ease. For example, supposing the tube to be of half an inch in
diameter, the moveable hatch or slide can be adjusted so as to allow the
emission from the reservoir of a stream of water half-an inch-in-depth-The
passage of any weeds or other substances likely to clog or obstruct the said
tube may be prevented by causing the water to pass from the reservoir into the
said thirdly-mentioned launder or trough or shoot through wire gauze or wire
work, or by any other of the methods in use for like purposes. The reservoir
itself can be emptied or cleansed by means of an aperture at the bottom, which
can be closed by a moveable plug.
Having thus given a general outline of my apparatus, I will now explain

page_text: shortly in what manner the object of my Invention is attained. Immediately
the water is allowed to flow from the reservoir, it rushes into the tube with
great rapidity, when, the depth of the superincumbent water over the orifice of
the tube (such depth being regulated as before mentioned) not being sufficient
to fill the latter, a vortex is formed over and into the tube, and a partial
vacuum being thus created in the tube, the external air rushes in, and a con-
tinuous current of atmospheric air and water is carried throughout the whole
length of the tube, and delivered at the required spot with considerable velocity.
The relative proportions of air and water carried through the tube may be
regulated at pleasure by raising or depressing the before-mentioned moveable
hatch or slide. In some cases I propose to insert a funnel into the tube, into
which funnel a given quantity of water may be allowed to flow at intervals. By
this method the same results will be effected.
My Invention is applicable to the correction of foul air of any description.
If carbonic acid gas has been generated, the water injected will absorb it. If
it arises from the atmospheric air being deprived of its oxygen by the breathing
of the workmen, the combustion of candles or lamps, or the explosion of
gunpowder, the current of atmospheric air injected will be found amply
sufficient for all practical purposes. It may be applied also to lowering the
temperature of hot air in the workings of deep mines. The increase of duty
given to the pumping engine, by reason of the waste water which it will be
necessary to get rid of, will be found to be very trifling.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Coulson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th December 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
COULSON, of Penzance, in the County of Coruwall, Merchant, send grecting.
WHEREAS Fler most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Coulson, Her special licence that I, the said John Coulson, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Coulson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during

page_text: 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 APPA-
RATUS FOR VENTILATING MINES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO
OTHER PURPOSES WHERE VENTILATION IS REQUIRED," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Coulson, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Coulson, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention has for its object the supply of atmospheric air to deep
workings of mines, especially to adits, levels, and recesses and passages, or
workings with closed ends, and to any situations where such supply may be
desirable, and not otherwise or so effectually obtainable.
I will now proceed to describe the nature of my improvements, and the
mode in which they are to be applied.
An artificial reservoir, marked 2 in the Drawing hereto annexed, is fixed in
such a position, and at such an elevation with reference to the mine or
workings to be ventilated or supplied with air, as may be considered desirable,
having regard to the details herein-after mentioned. This reservoir may be
constructed of wood, iron, or of any other suitable material or materials, and
in the form of a square box, or in any other form which may be most con-
venient, the dimensions thereof depending upon and being varied according
to circumstances; such reservoir being open at the top, and fitted on one
side with an open trough or shoot (marked 1 in the annexed Drawing) for
the admission of the water to the reservoir, and which may be called the
supply trough. The reservoir may be supplied, where practicable, from any
natural spring or source which may exist upon or near the same level;
but where there is no such natural supply of water, the necessary quantity may
be raised to the requisite height by the engine used for the general purposes of
the mine, or in any other way which may be most convenient or practicable.
On one of the other sides of the reservoir, and at a level below that of the
supply trough, is a ledge or shelf (as represented in the annexed Drawing), in
which are fixed any desired number of tubes (marked b, b, in the Drawing),

page_text: such tubes being composed of metal, gutta percha, or of any other suitable
material or materials, and which communicate with the hydro-pneumatic box,
herein-after mentioned. Over each of these last-mentioned tubes is suspended
a tube (marked c in the Drawing), open at both ends, and formed of glass or
other suitable material, the lower orifice thereof being a little above the tube
b, b, and the upper orifice being above the surface of the water in the reservoir.
The said last-mentioned tubes, which may be called "air tubes," are sustained
in their proper positions by the bridge d, d, as shewn in the annexed Drawing.
Upon the reservoir being filled, and the water being allowed to flow into the
tubes b, b, a vortex is formed, by reason of the lower end of the air tubes c
being placed above the tubes b, b, as herein-before mentioned; and the
atmospheric air passing through the air tubes c to fill up the partial vacuum
caused by the vortex, is carried, together with the water, in a continual stream
through the tubes b, b, into the hydro-pneumatic box, marked 3 in the annexed
Drawing. The hydro-pneumatic box should be constructed of iron, or of any
other suitable material or materials, and sufficiently strong to bear the amount
of pressure to which its internal surface may be subjected. In the hydro-
pneumatic box the air and water are separated, the height of the water being
regulated by a self-acting valve (as represented at 4 in the annexed Drawing),
or by means of any suitable contrivance. The air being collected in the upper
portion of the hydro-pneumatic box, is, by the pressure of the water contained
therein, forced through the tube marked ff, in the annexed Drawing, and
which may be constructed of gutta percha, or of any other suitable material or
materials, and by means of which the air may be conducted to any distance,
and to any desired spot. The amount of pressure with which the air is thus
forced through the tube f, f, and upon which will depend the velocity and
quantity of air delivered at the extremity, will, it is obvious, be regulated by
and dependent upon the elevation of the reservoir above the hydro-pneumatic
box, and the consequent height of the column of water falling through the
tubes b, b, and inpinging upon the surface of the water in the hydro-pneumatic
box. It will be observed, that the greater the elevation of the reservoir above
the hydro-pneumatic box, the greater will be the pressure capable of being
exerted upon the air contained in the latter. In order that the quantity of
water in the hydro-pneumatic box may be at any time ascertained, an external
guage tube or indicator, or any suitable guage valve or cock, or any contrivance
or contrivances adapted for that purpose, may be used. It is manifest that the
apparatus may be constructed of any dimensions, and with any number of the
various tubes herein-before mentioned and described, so as to obtain any

page_text: desired power, which power may also be regulated by varying the sizes and
proportions of the respective tubes.
The following are the references to the annexed Drawing:-1, trough or
shoot for supply of water to the reservoir; 2, reservoir; 3, hydro-pneumatic
box 4, self-acting valve, regulating the height of water in the hydro-
pneumatic box; a, a, water level; b, b, tube conveying water and air; c, glass
tube conveying air; d, d, bridge supporting glass tube; e, trough or shoot by
which surplus water may escape; ff, air tube leading to the mine.
In the annexed Drawing only one tube for conducting water and air to the
hydro-pneumatic box is shewn, but any desired or suitable number of such
tubes may be used, as herein-before mentioned.
I will now proceed to describe the manner in which the apparatus should
be applied. The reservoir should be fixed on the surface of the ground at any
available or desired level above the adit, working, or place which it is wished
to ventilate, and so that the tubes for conducting air and water may be con-
veniently connected with the hydro-pneumatic box. The reservoir may be
supplied with water, as has been before observed, in any convenient manner.
The hydro-pneumatic box should be placed in such a position with reference
to the adit, level, or other place to be ventilated, that the water may be con-
veniently carried off.
In cases where only a small supply of atmospheric air is required, or where
the introduction of a small quantity of water may be useful, the hydro-pneu-
matic box may be altogether dispensed with, and the air and water may be
conveyed to the desired spot direct from the reservoir.
By the use of this apparatus the most perfect ventilation may be obtained,
even in the deepest workings, and in situations inaccessible to all the modes
of ventilation previously known; and the consequences of foul air, whether
arising from the presence of carburetted hydrogen gas, or from the extraction
of oxygen from the atmosphere by the respiration of workmen, the combustion
of candles, or the explosions of gunpowder, or from any other cause, may be
-prevented.-and-a-current of pure atmospheric air introduced sufficiently strong
to drive out the noxious gases, and to fill the recess, level, or other working
with good air, however distant it may be from the action of natural currents.
The use of this apparatus will also be very valuable where the temperature of the
mine or place requiring ventilation is very high; and in cases where there is an
accumulation of carbonic acid gas, the introduction of a jet of water together
with the pure air by means of my apparatus will be highly beneficial, inasmuch
as the carbonic acid gas will be absorbed by the water thus introduced. My

page_text: apparatus may be also used for supplying air for the purpose of enabling
sub-aqueous operations by means of the diving bell to be carried on, and may
be also applied for the production of a blast for furnaces, for which purpose it
will be found very effectual and economical.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have described or
referred to, as many variations may be made therefrom without deviating from
the principles or main features of the said Invention, nor do I claim the several
and respective parts thereof as being novel and original; but what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention or improved
apparatus secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent,
is, the general arrangement and combination of the several parts, which
together combined form the apparatus herein-before mentioned, for the
purpose of ventilating mines, and other places or situations, and for other
purposes where ventilation is required, as herein-before mentioned and
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Coulson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Witness,
E. P. H. VAUGHAN,
59, Chancery Lane,
Agent for the Patentee.
JOHN COULSON. (L.S.)