IMPROVE- MENTS IN PNEUMATIC MACHINES FOR DRYING LEAVES OF PLANTS, SEEDS, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, JOHN DICK of 218 Saracen Street Possilpark Glasgow in the County of
Lanark, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PNEUMATIC MACHINES FOR DRYING LEAVES OF PLANTS, SEEDS, AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES," to be as follows
-
This invention has for its object improvements in machinery or apparatus for
withering and drying, by the employment of air currents, leaves of plants, seed*,
and other substances
The apparatus constituting the invention consists of a chamber of convolute or
polygonal form in cross vertical section At each end of the chamber is a frame
of metal or partly of metal and partly of wood, glass, mica, or equivalent material
the said frame consisting of a hollow trunnion with any suitable number of arms
(preferably seven or nine) radiating to the rim, which is provided with faucets or
sockets for receiving the ends of an equal number of longitudinal pipes, the spaces
between the arms being closed with metal or wood, or, for the admission of light,
preferably with glass, mica, or equivalent material One or both of the end frames
may have the arms hollow with ports opening into the trunnions so that each arın
forms a pipe or duct from the trunnion to one of the longitudinal pipes, the
trunnions being closed at their inner ends and fitted into suitable bearings between
or on which the chamber is caused to rotate by gearing The shell of the chamber
18 formed of several longitudinal ranges of plates preferably curved and corre-
sponding in number with the number of the longitudinal pipes to which they
are secured, one pipe being placed between each range and one edge of each of
such secured to the outside of one of the pipes whilst the other edge of the same
lange is secured to the inner side of the adjoining pipe, beyond which it may extend
a suitable length so as to form a trough-like receptacle for raising the material to
the top side of the machine or chamber
Each of the longitudinal pipes has a row or rows of perforations or slots along
the full length of one side and when placed in position these openings are so
arranged that the air currents emitted by them may impinge against the surfaces
of their respective plates and thereafter travel in a direction parallel to the surface
of said plates In order that the air currents may be delivered into the chamber

page_text: with comparative evenness over the whole length of each pipe a series of ribs or
projections of suitable size is formed or placed transversely inside each pipe on
the opposite side of the interior to that in which are the perforations, the object
of these projections being to deflect portions of the air cuirents at short intervals
of space along the length of each pipe and so cause the current to be more evenly
emitted from the perforations than under ordinary circumstances.
In
One or both of the trunnions may be arranged for the admission of air to the
chamber, or one for admission and one for exhaust, but preferably one only is used
for both purposes, the other trunnion being made open through to the inside of the
chamber and fitted with a shutter or its equivalent for inspection purposes
this latter case the arms of the end frame carrying the said trunnion, are not
necessarily hollow but may be of T, or other convenient section In the trunnion
for the admission and exhaust of the air, there are arranged a series of ports, as
already referred to, one for each of the arms communicating with the longitudinal
pipes, and this trunnion is provided with a combined supply and exhaust valve
divided for the greater part of its length into two equal portions by a thin metal
diaphragm with a port or ports on each side of it for communication with those in
the trunnion The inlet side of the valve 18 connected to the air supply pipe from
a blast fan or other suitable blower, whilst the exhaust side communicates with the
atmosphere by a suitable port and piping outside the trunnion, or an exhaust fan
may be connected to the exhaust pipe and the air drawn into and through the
chamber, the whole chamber being tightly closed except at the various ports
When the chamber is rotated and a current of air sent from the blast fan or its
equivalent the action of the valve which is fixed fast externally is this, as cach of
the ports of the arms passes a certain position in relation to the valve it allows
the air to enter the said arms and thence to the interior of the chamber, and as
each of the longitudinal pipes, after a certain amount of travel, passes to the
exhaust side of the valve they each become alternately supply and exhaust pipes
during the evolution of the chamber, and the two sides of the valve being pre-
ferably equal the rate of supply and exhaust are also equal The object of this
alternate action of the longitudinal pipes in blowing and exhausting is to prevent
the material blocking up the exhaust apertures which it would do if these were
constantly exhausting
The troughs formed by the ranges of plates and the longitudinal pipes as already
referred to form buckets for raising the material under treatment to the top of the
chamber and drop it into the cyclical currents in the chamber and as the pipes are
preferably arranged to blow when approaching the lower position the currents thus
set up cushion the material in its fall and prevent injury, at the same time
throughly fanning or subjecting it to the action of the air One range or more of
the plates may be hinged and have suitable fastenings so as to provide means
for gaining access to the interior of the chamber and for charging and emptying
same

page_text: Plants, Seeds, and other substances.
I, JOHN DICK of 218 Saracen Street Possilpark Glasgow in the County of
Lanark, Engineer, 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 has for its object improvements in machinery or apparatus for
withering and drying, by the employment of air currents, leaves of plants seeds
and other substances
The apparatus constituting the invention consists, as seen in longitudinal vertical
section at fig 1, in end elevation at fig 2, and in transverse section at fig 3, of
the appended drawings, of a drum or chamber A, having at each end a frame B,
of metal or partly of metal and partly of wood, glass, mica or equivalent material
each of the said frames being carried on a hollow trunnion F, the trunnion at one
end having a series (preferably seven) of hollow arms or trunks C, radiating from
it to the rim of the frame B, at which point, faucets or sockets are made in the
trunks for receiving the ends of an equal number of longitudinal pipes D The
spaces E, between the hollow arms or trunks in the end frame B are or may be
closed with removable shutter pieces composed of metal or wood or, for the
admission of light, the shutters may be preferably formed of glass, mica, or
equivalent material Into the hollow ti unnion F, a pipe I, is inserted the said
pipe being divided, by a mid rib or diaphragm, into two separate channels and at
the inner ends of these channels ports G, G¹, are made opening into the ends of the
hollow arms or trunks C, the port G being a passage through which air is admitted
to the said hollow arms and thence to the pipes D and the port G¹, a passage
through which the air is exhausted from the apparatus, the admission of air
being controlled by a valve H, in communication with the port G, as shown at
figure 1
The shell of the drum or chamber A, which takes the form illustrated in trans-
verse section at fig 3, is composed of a series of plates J ranged longitudinally,
these plates corresponding in number with the number of the longitudinal pipes D,
and being dished or curved throughout their lengths At their ends the plates rest
upon strips or flanges a, formed on or secured to the end frames B, and throughout
their lengths they are at intervals connected to the pipe D, the outer edge of each
plate being secured by bolts or otherwise to the part of one pipe furthest from the
centre of the machine whilst the inner edge of the plate is in like manner secured
to the part of the next pipe in the series nearest to the centre of the machine, the
inner edge of the plate extending for a distance beyond the pipe so as to form a
trough-like receptacle On its inner face each of the longitudinal pipes D, has one
or more rows of perforations b, the series extending throughout the entire length
of the pipe and as indicated at fig 3, the currents of air emitted from these per-
forations impinge against the surfaces of the plates J and thereafter travel upwards

page_text: in a direction parallel to the surface of the said plates In order that the air
currents may be delivered into the chamber A, with comparative evenness, through-
out the entire length of each pipe D, a series of crescent or other shaped plates or
ribs c, is fixed or formed so as to project inwards from the circumference towards
the centre of each pipe on the side opposite to that at which the perforations are
made, the object of these projections being to deflect portions of the air currents at
short intervals of space in the lengths of the pipes and so cause the cuirents to be
more evenly emitted from the perforations than under ordinary circumstances
The pipes D, alternately act as inlets and outlets of au to and from the interior of
the chamber A, the air currents passing into the chamber through the pipes which
are, for the time being, under the diaphragm of the pipe I, and out to the exhaust
port through the pipes which are, for the time being, above the said diaphragm,
the rate of supply and exhaust being equal The chamber or drum A, is rotated to
effect this distribution by a spur wheel L, keyed upon the hollow trunnion F¹ and
geared with a pinion M, secured on a spindle N, carried in blocks O, and having
on its opposite end fast and loose pulleys P, and it will be seen that the alternate
action of the pipes D in blowing and exhausting prevents the leaves or other
substance being treated, from blocking up or choking the exhaust apertures
which would be the case if the apertures were constantly employed for that
purpose
As shown at figures 1, 2, and 3 one trunnion is employed both for admission and
exhaust of air to the chamber A, but both trunnions may be so arranged or one
may be employed for admission and the other for exhaust When arranged as
shown on the drawings the inner end of the trunnion is closed whilst the like
end of the other trunnion is open through to the inside of the chamber and fitted
with a shutter R, centred eccentrically on a spindle S, so as to be capable of being
turned of out the way for inspection purposes
The inlet part of the pipe I, may be connected to a blast fan or other suitable
blower whilst the exhaust part communicates with the atmosphere direct or with
piping to conduct the air to any desired point and to the said eduction part or
pipe an exhaust fan may be connected to draw the air into and through the
chamber A
The troughs formed by the ranges of plates J, and the longitudinal pipes D, as
already set forth constitute buckets for raising the material under treatment to the
top of the chamber where they drop the said material into the cyclical air currents,
and as the pipes D, blow only when approaching and leaving the lower position
the currents thus set up cushion the material in its fall and prevent injury at the
same time thoroughly fanning or subjecting the material to the action of the air
and so withering and drying it
Fig 4 of the diawings illustrates in vertical longitudinal section and fig 5 in
transverse section on the line - hg 4 a modification of the arrangement herein-
before described and in which the plates J in lieu of being secured direct to the
pipes D, as herein before described are connected thereto in the manner more
particularly seen at fig 6, which is drawn to a larger scale As shown by the said
ugure between the pipes D and each plate J bars or lengths of wood e, extend
from one end frame B, to the other the said bars resting in sockets a³, made for
their reception in the end frames B, which sockets also receive the ends of the
Pipes D
Into the outer face of each bar of wood a metal plate f is recessed the
said plate being secured to the wood and to straps T, (hereinafter referred to) by
screws g
Besides the support afforded to the plates J, by the ribs or flinges a, formed on
01 secured to the end frames B, the plates J, at intervals throughout their lengths
receive further support from the straps T, which embrace the pipes D, and are
bolted to T-irons U, the sud T-irons being also attached by the pins h, to the
metal plates f, recessed into the wood blocks e As a further preventative of
the choking of the holes b, in the pipes D, by the material being treated a strip

page_text: of wire-gauze or equivalent material may extend from one end frame B, to the
other the said wire-ganze being attached to the wood blocks e, and also to the
parts T¹ of the straps T In the arrangement shown figs 1, 2, and 3, the apparatus
must necessarily be rotated always in one and the same direction When it is
desired that it should be capable of rotating in both directions the gearing and
valvular arrangement indicated at fig 4, 1s adopted In this case the pinion M
with which the spur wheel L, keyed upon the trunnion of the chamber or drum A,
is geared, in lieu of being keyed to the shaft N, is loose thereon and is formed in
one piece with the pulley P between which and the other driving pulley P¹,
which is fast upon the shaft N, a third and loose or idle pulley is situated
A pinion wis keyed on one end of the shaft N and geared with a wheel v
situated on one end of a short shaft v¹ on whose other end is keyed a pinion v³
which is also geared with the wheel L
Figure 7 is a diagram of the train of wheels When the driving belt is placed
upon the pulley P¹ keyed on the shaft N, the pulley P being loose upon the shaft,
rotatory motion in one direction is cominunicated to the drum A through the train
of wheels w, v, v2 L, but when it is desired to rotate the drum in the opposite
direction the belt is shifted from the pulley P¹ to the pulley P the effect of which
18 to drive direct through the pinion M and spur wheel L With this arrangement
there is also employed a modified form of valve for admitting and exhausting air
to and from the dium A, the said valve being reversible according to the direction
of motion of the drum The valve which is more particularly seen at figure 5
consists of a diaphragm or plate X dividing the casing in which it is situated into
two parts one being in communication with the air supply pipe H, and the other
in communication with the exhaust Y As shown on the figure the part of the
valve casing to the left of the valve 18 in communication with H and the part to
the right in communication with Y the said parts each continuously admitting and
exhausting air through ports in the casing and trunk C, respectively When it is
desired to alter the admission and exhaust the valve X is turned by means of the
pinion 1 which gears with the rack 2, formed on the valve as shown
In either of the arrangements figures 1 and 4, one range or length of the plates J,
38 or may be hinged so as to provide means for gaining access to the interior of the
chamber A, and for charging and emptying the same Figures 8 and 9 show a
mode by which this may be effected the apparatus consisting of a shaft or spindle 3
extending parallel to the length of the chamber and having thereon a series of
forks 4, the jaws of which embrace bolts 5 each having a collar or ruff at its outer
end The said bolts pass through boxes or casings 6 each containing a helical or
other equivalent spring, the boxes being bolted by flanges or soles 7, at their inner
ends to angle-irons 8, secured to the wood block e, hereinbefore referred to The
bolt 5, has a second collat or iuff 9 upon it be ring upon the helical spring, and
that end of the bolt projecting inwards from the said second ruff passes through a
hole made in an angle iron 10 bolted or otherwise secured to the T-iron U herein-
before referred to, one end of the palm of the said T-iron being "Joggled
or bent
down to receive it as indicated at fig 9 Towards its other end this individual
T-iron instead of being bolted to a strap T as herein before described is hinged-or
pivotted to the said strap and the effect of the airangement is that when a key or
lever is inserted in the socket 11, made on the shaft 3 and operated to turn the
said shaft through an arc, the Jiws of the forks 4 acting on the herds of the bolts 5
withdraw the other ends of the said bolts from the holes in the angle iron 10 and
the plate J, and its connections having then no further support swings out on the
hinge 12 thereby affording access to the interior of the chamber Ä
In agun
closing up the said plate the helical spring forces the end of the bolts 5 into the
holes in the angle non 10
As shown at 13 fig 4 the chamber A may have a casing or lagging of wood,
metal, or other sheathing extending between the end frames B and exterior to the
convolute casing constituted by the plates J

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim 18,-
1 The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improved
pneumatic machine for drying leaves of plants, seeds and other substances
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the two modifications
illustrated upon the sheet of drawings hereunto annexed
2 In a pneumatic machine for drying leaves of plants, seeds, and other
substances, the combination of the divided pipe I, hollow trunks C, perforated
pipes D, and curved plates J, operating substantially as hereinbefore described
8 In a pneumatic machine for drying leaves of plants, seeds and other substances
the combination of the reversible valve X, hollow trunks C, perforated pipes D,
and curved plates J, operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to the appended drawings
4 In a pneumatic machine for drying leaves of plants, seeds, and other
substances, the employment of perforated pipes D, having baffle plates or ribs
arranged at intervals throughout the interior length of the pipe as and for the
purpose set forth