IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CHARGING AND DRAWING GAS RETORTS, AND FOR PURPOSES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sealy James Best, of 193 Bermondsey Street,
Surrey, and James John Holden, of 6, Single Street, Bow, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR CHARGING AND DRAWING GAS RETORTS, AND FOR
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 30th May 1865, and dated the 17th January 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sealy James Best and
James John Holden at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 17th January 1865.
We, SEALY JAMES BEST, of 198, Bermondsey Street, Surrey, and JAMES
JOHN HOLDEN, of 6, Single Street, Bow, in the County of Middlesex, Engi-
neers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR CHARGING AND DRAWING GAS RETORTS AND FOR OTHER PUR-
POSES," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention consists in substituting mechanism for hand labour in
charging gas retorts with coal or canal, and in withdrawing the coke there-
from. For this purpose I deposit the canal or coal in a holder, with a
slotted gauge bottom, closed by an under slide, with corresponding slots for
opening and closing the same, under which a number of scoops are inserted
working backwards and forwards, and mounted in a frame travelling on rails.
When it is desired to fill these scoops the slide is drawn back, so that its slots

page_text: come exactly under those of the coal holder above, and a free passage is thus
left for the coal to fall into and fill the scoops. The coal holder openings are
then closed by the slide, and the scoops are withdrawn and inserted into the
retorts, when by a side rack and pinion movement fitted to each they are cap-
sized and deposit the coal in the retort, and are then drawn back and taken
to be refilled. The charge of coke is withdrawn in the following manner :-A
number of shovel hoes, mounted in a similar frame to that of the scoops, are
inserted horizontally above the coke at the top of the retort until they arrive
at the further end of the same, when by a stop lever motion the whole of
these shovel hoes are brought into a vertical position, and are then with-
drawn, bringing the coke out with them.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Lotters Patent, filed
by the said Sealy James Best and James John Holden in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 17th July 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, SEALY
JAMES BEST, of 193, Bermondsey Street, Surrey, and JAMES JOHN HOLDEN,
of 6, Single Street, Bow, in the County of Middlesex, Engineers, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto us, the said Sealy James Best and James John Holden, Her
special licence that we, the said Sealey James Best and Janies John Holden,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
Sealey James Best and James John Holden, our 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 CHARGING AND DRAWING GAS
RETORTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others that
we, the said Sealey James Best and James John Holden,, our executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, 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,

page_text: 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 we, the said Sealey James Best and James John
Holden, do hereby declare the nature of our said 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, first, the construction of machinery
formed as herein-after described, and intended to be substituted for hand
labour in charging gas retorts with coal, and withdrawing the coke and carbon
therefrom; and, secondly, the application of similar machinery for other
similar purposes, such as charging or drawing boiler and other furnaces,
charcoal ovens, and the like; thirdly, an apparatus to be used in combination
with parts of said machinery for supplying the same with the coal, cannel, or
other fuel.
By the first above-mentioned improvement, one, two, or any other number
of retorts placed in an oven or furnace in the usual way could be charged or
drawn simultaneously, and by the last above-mentioned improvement one,
two, or more charging scoops could be supplied with the required quantity or
weight of fuel respectively, also simultaneously.
Another improvement, which is comprised in our said Invention, consists
in mounting the whole of the covers of a set of retorts in one oven or furnace
in a frame, or in connecting the same together and suspending the whole
by means of chains or rods from a bearing bar, and balancing the same, so
that the whole could be raised from and open the mouths of the retorts at
once, and be again lowered, so as to close the whole of the retorts instan-
taneously.
In order that our said Invention may be better understood, we will shortly
describe the "charging" and "drawing" operations" as now performed by
hand. In charging the gas retorts the canel or coal is shovelled from the heap
into a long scoop, which is open at one end, and fitted with a T-handle at the
other ; when the scoop is filled an iron bar is passed under the open end,
and it is then raised and inserted in the retorts to be charged by three men,
one lifting by the T-handle at the back, and the other two with the iron bar at
the fore end of the scoop, which upon being inserted into the retort is turned
bottom upwards and then withdrawn, depositing coals therein. The mouth
of the retort is then closed and secured by an iron cover, which has also to be
lifted and affixed thereto by hand. In performing these operations the men
have to approach close to the furnace and open mouths of the retorts, and are

page_text: consequently exposed to great heat thereby; while the labor in raising the
loaded scoops to the upper tiers, which are six or seven feet (or more) from tho
ground, is also very great. In drawing the coke the covers of the retorts are
taken off, and the burning mass removed therefrom by repeatedly inserting
an iron coal rake or scraper, with a fixed head, along the roof further and
further into the retort as the coke is gradually raked out from the front until
the whole is withdrawn. The retorts are charged and closed singly, and the
coke drawn therefrom also singly.
The machinery or apparatus which we propose to employ for performing
the above-mentioned operations, comprise a locomotive retort, charging and
drawing machines, rising and falling balanced retort covers, and a scoop
feeding apparatus, the whole of which are illustrated upon accompanying
Drawings, and their respective modes of operation are fully described in the
subjoined explanation referring thereto.
EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Drawing A. This Drawing, which is laid down to a reduced scale, is
intended to show the general features of our said Invention at one view.
Figure 1 is a front elevation showing the locomotive charging machine
and scoop-feeding apparatus. At A, two retort ovens, with the improved
retort covers fitted thereto, one set at B being mounted in a balanced frame,
in which they slide laterally separately, and rise and fall collectively; the
other set at C attached to a rising and falling bar, by which the whole, also
balanced, are raised or lowered simultaneously, each cover being detachable
therefrom singly. Figure 2 shews a section of a retort oven and retorts a, b, c,
with the charging machine opposite thereto on the right, and with the
loaded scoops, as inserted therein, on the left. Figure 3 is the corresponding
plan view to Figure 2, and shows the retorts as closed by the rising and
falling frame, and covers on the right; and the scoops as inserted by the
motion of the vertical frame and turned bottom upwards on the left. d, d, d,
are tramways which we propose to lay down for the charging and drawing
machines to travel upon; and e, e, turntables upon which the same are
turned as required. A spring pawl or notch is formed on the trams to
operate as a self-acting stop, and fix the charging and drawing machines
respectively in the exact positions required in line with the retorts i, i, i, the
shafts of the scoops, which, together therewith, turn in bearings 2, 2, and in
the small toothed wheels 3 in the vertical frame. These wheels rotate upon
short axes, having a square hole in each traversed by the end of the scoop.
shafts, which shafts terminate with a screw fastened by a nut in front; by

page_text: slacking one or more of these nuts, one or more of the scoops can be
readily detached when required. 4 are vertical racks, which gear with the
toothed wheels 3, and when lowered reverse the position of the scoops.
These rack, when raised, are made to counterbalance the loaded scoops, and
when the latter are inserted in the retorts the proper distance are self-tipped
by a lever, bolt, pawl, or other equivalent self-acting mechanism. The
scoops are turned into the upright position by hand after they are withdrawn
by the lever 5 and rack pinions 6.
Figure 4 is a front view of the drawing machine; Figure 5, a side eleva-
tion thereof, shewing the drawing rakes f, g, h, which are carried by the
vertical frame i, the whole sliding backwards and forwards upon the horizontal
frame j. The head of the rake g is shewn as raised when being inserted in
the retort, and the heads off and has lowered, and fixed for drawing out the
coke and carbon; Figure 6 is the corresponding plan view to Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of a "set" of retorts, showing the drawing
rakes as inserted therein.
The charging and drawing machines, rising and falling covers, and scoop-
feeding apparatus can be formed and adapted to any arrangement or number
of retorts in one oven, so that the apparatus can be made to be fed, charge,
draw, open, or close the whole or any number of the retorts in a set simul-
taneously or singly, and the whole may be made to move and operate by steam
or other power as required.
Drawing B.-(The charging machine.)
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the locomotive charging machine; Figure 2,
a front elevation; and Figure 3, a sectional plan view thereof; Figure 4 repre-
sents the scoops as inserted in a set of circular retorts, the three upper scoops
being shown as reversed, and the coals therefrom deposited in the retorts. In
this Drawing the same reference letters are repeated in the respective Figures
where the same parts of the machine are shewn from different points of view.
a, the main travelling frame mounted upon the wheels 6, which run upon
the trams, and are turned by the engine and gearing shewn at Figure 3; c, is
the boiler; d, the cylinder, and e, the crank shaft; f, a spur wheel and clutch
sliding upon the crank shaft upon a feather f¹ by a lever. This wheel, when
in the position here shown, is in gear with the wheel 9 on the shaft of the
travelling wheels, and when turned by the engine propels the charging
machine along the trams; upon this wheel being moved in the direction of the
arrow the clutches h come into gear and turn the shaft i, the wheelf being
then out of gear with the wheel g, the machine remains stationary, while the
shaft turned by the gearing k, l, gives the requisite cotion to the wheel f,

page_text: which remains permanently in gear with the chain wheel q, by which the
sliding motion of the vertical frame m, and scoops n fixed to the bearing
shaft o. These shafts are fitted with pinions p on their respective ends, which
pinions are in gear with the skeleton wheel q, and turned therewith. The
scoop shafts are each fitted with counterbalanced weights, are for counter-
balancing the weight of the coals in the
scoops. The scoops are made
self-reversing by throwing these weights out of the vertical by the lever s,
which is moved to one side by a projection t on the main frame. The scoops
are withdrawn from the retorts in the reversed position, and are again raised
upright, and together with the counterbalanced weights by turning the wheel
u, which gears with the skeleton wheel 9 and centre pinion v, turning the
whole together, or the latter motion may be given by turning the small
pinion w at the side of the frame. The curved lines 1, 1, shew the form of
the end lip of the scoops; when the wheel fis moved along the shaft e in the
direction shewn by the it is out of gear with the wheel g and shaft i.
The shaft e at the opposite end carries the chain drum e', which on being
turned, and the chain of the drawing machine wound thereon, gives the
necessary motion thereto.
Drawing C. (The coke drawing machine.)
Figure 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2, the front end elevation; Figure 3,
a fractional view over all, and Figure 4, an end view of the drawing rake
heads. The reference letters are repeated as explained under the head of
Drawing B.
a is the main frame, detached from, but intended to be propelled by and
with the charging machine; b, the travelling wheels; c, the vertical frame,
which slides from end to end of the main frame by the hawling chain d, which
passes round a chain drum on the charging machine. This frame is mounted
upon the hinged bearings d, so that it can be tilted, and the ends of the
drawing rakes c be elevated or depressed as required by the screw f; g is the
sliding frame, upon which the vertical frame c rides; h, the hawling chain,
which is attached to the sliding frame g at i, passes round the fixed pullies j, j,
and k, k, and thence round the drum on the charging machine. For tipping
the drawing rakes separately, they are hinged at 1, l, in a split bar m in the
openings of which the ends of the drawing rake shafts n are continued, and
fitted with an adjusting screw o, turned by the wheels p in the links q; r, r,
are flanges on the rake shaft for preventing the coke from rising as it is
withdrawn from the retorts. The heads of these rakes rise and fall upon the
joints s by a rod t, which passes through the open shaft m, and under or
within the hollow rake shaft n. This rod is drawn backwards and forwards,

page_text: and the rake heads elevated and depressed by the levers v in front of the
frame. The shafts m, together with the rakes, adjusting rod t, and lever v,
are turned by the latter in bearings w, w, in the vertical frame, so that the
rake heads, when lowered, can be made to cut through the coke if necessary
by the horizontal rotation from side to side. In the event of there not being
sufficient power to bring down the rake heads to the position shewn at e',
through the coke by the simple motion of the lever v, the end of the rod t is
screwed and fitted with the lever a, which bears against the lever v when down,
and on being turned draws the rod forward and depresses the rake head as
required. For removing any of these rakes the end plate y is taken off by
slacking the screws z, z, see Figure 2. The sliding frame 9 runs in planed
grooves in the main frame a, and is held in position by the covering
plates 2 bolted thereon.
Drawing D.-Figure 1 shews the main lever, adjusting rod, and main
lever thereon, and loose end plate descript under the he of Drawing C, full
size, the same letters of reference being repeated. Figures 2 and 3 shews the
joint upon which the rakes are raised and lowered singly, also full size.
Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged side and end views of the head of the rake
shaft and rake plade, and shows the mode of attaching the adjusting rod
thereto. Figures 5 and 6 show another modification of the rising and falling
rake head. a is the shaft of angle iron, in the end of which a slot b is formed,
the flange c being cut away at d to allow the rake head e to rise and fall over
the same; f is a stud fixed in and projecting on both sides of the shaft,
between which and the end of the flange c the rake head slides as it is pushed
back and backwards by the rod 9 rising and falling upon the joint h; the
blade has a opening i in the centre to allow it to work upon the solid portion
of the shaft a¹.
Drawing E.-This Drawing shews the link and screw single adjustment of
the rake shaft.
Figure 1 is a front sectional elevation, and Figure 2, a sectional
elevation.
a, the split end of the rake shaft, which is shewn at Figure 2, and
fitted with the adjusting screw 3, which works through the axis 3 turned
by the wheel D, which is prevented from rising and falling by the boss of and
fixed nutt; g, h, are the main bars, which turn with the boss i, at each end
in the vertical frame j; l, links attaches to the bearing bar, and hinged
m, m.
Drawing E.-Figure is a front elevation of the scoope-feeding apparatus,
and Figure 2, a section through the centre thereof, showing the tipping feeders.

page_text: a are the scoops, which are filled with coals from the coal heap ; b, the tubes
or conduits; c, short pins or centres in the ends of the scoopes upon which they
turn over or tip; d, twothed wheels fixed thereto, and engaging with each
other; e, lever and wheel for tipping the scoops when filled By placing these
stages at the end of the ranges of retorts, and in a line therewith, the
charging scoops are run under them by the traversing motion of the vertical
frame, and each scoop can thus be instantly supplied with the exact quantity
of coals required, which quantity can be guaged or regulated as before
described, or by weighing or otherwise from the stage above. f, the scoops, as
inserted under the tubes to be fed.
Drawing G. Figure 1 shews a modified plan of the scoop-tipping
mechanism.
a is the frame; b, the scoop. shafts, upon the ends of which wheels
or pulleys c are fixed; d is an endless chain, which passes round the
whole of the scoop-shaft wheels, which are turned by the wheel e; the
endless chain is adjusted by the pulley f, which is fixed in the end of the
slotted bar g, bolted to the frame at h; the scoops are balanced and rendered
self-tipping as before described.
Figure 2 is a side elevation, and Figure 3, a front end view of a single
scoop machine, in which the scoop is made to rise and fall and be self-sup-
plied with coals.
a is the scoop; b, the vertical frame; c, the main travelling frame; d, the
sliding bearings, in which the scoop rises and falls and turns over; e, e,
counterweights, by which the scoops and coals are balanced; f, the hopper
containing the coals; g, the chain by which the vertical machine is moved; h,
fixed pulleys, over which the chain attached to the vertical frame at i, runs
a pitch wheel and pulley turned by the wheel 7 and handle f, thereby giving
the forward and backward motion to the scoop frame; n, a drum on the
shaft o turned by the handle p for raising and lowering the scoop; q, the
tipping weight, and r, the lever for righting the scoop when withdrawn from
the retort. The same frames and mechanism can be used for mounting and
actuating a single drawing weight. The improved drawing rake, with a hinged
head, may also be used and worked by hand in lieu of the fixed head rake
now employed for drawing the coke.
Drawing H.-Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a rising and falling frame, in
which a complete set of retort covers are mounted; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan
corresponding therewith, and Fig. 3, a sectional elevation.
a, the retort covers; b, sliding carrying bars, which slide in the cross bars c
of the main frame. The object of the lateral motion] is to obtain access to

page_text: any of the retorts singly without raising the frame. d is a tightening screw
for pressing the cover home against the mouth of the retort; e, e, guides for
keeping the cover in position. Instead of forming these covers in the usual
way, we propose to turn the mouth of the retort, and inside of the cover to
fit with a faced or surfaced joint, in order to dispense with the necessity of
luting. is a skeleton rebated frame bolted to the face of the oven, behind
which the rising and falling frame, which together with the covers is balanced
by a counterweight, slides as it rises and falls; g, are adjusting screws for
tightening or easing the plates to compensate for wear in use.
Having thus fully described, illustrated, and explained our said Invention,
we hereby further declare, that without restricting ourselves to the precise
forms and dimensions of the details as regards the number and relative posi-
tions of the scoops, rakes, and feeders, we claim the machinery and apparatus
thus described, operating respectively in the different modes explained, or by
equivalent mechanism operating in the same or a similar manner.
In witness whereof, we, the said Sealy James Best and James John
Holden, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Seventeenth
day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-five.
SEALY JAMES BEST.
(L.S.)
JAMES JOHN HOLDEN. (L.S.)
SEALY JAMES BEST.
(L.S.)
JAMES JOHN HOLDEN. (L.S.)