IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING AND MEASURING COAL AND CHARGING AND EMPTYING GAS RETORTS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Fitch Rowland, of Greenpoint, County of
-
Kings, and State of New York, in the United States of America, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING AND
MEASURING COAL AND CHARGING AND EMPTYING GAS RETORTS."
Sealed the 30th May 1873, and dated the 8th April 1873.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Thomas Fitch Rowland at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 8th April 1873, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
FITCH ROWLAND, of Greenpoint, in the State of New York, in the
United States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING AND MEASURING COAL AND CHARGING
AND EMPTYING GAS RETORTS," and have petitioned Her Majesty to
grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal
[Price 8d.]

page_text: Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn Declaration that I
am the first and true Inventor thereof.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Fitch Rowland, do hereby
declare the following Complete Specification under my hand and seal
fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference
being had to the accompanying Drawings and the figures and letters
marked thereon, that is to say :-
I have endeavored to avoid all unnecessary complications, and design
machinery which, with effectiveness in its operations, will combine the
merit of simplicity.
Probably not all the advantages are obtainable which are clained by
some of the advocates of mechanical power, but so great a gain can be
secured that no company whose production is over one million cubic
feet of gas per day can afford to manipulate the coal and coke by other
than mechanical means.
My improvements are applicable to any retort house which is not less
than sixty feet wide, provided the benches are set in the middle of the
building.
The proposition is to lift the coal into an elevated "pocket," and from
thence by mechanical means to transport and deposit it in the retorts in
proper quantities, and discharge the coke into the coke barrows, the
whole in a more expeditious and regular manner than has yet been done,
and at a large reduction in the daily cost.
The present mouth pieces, lids, and cotter bars can be utilized, though
it is probably a more modern arrangement which dispenses with the
necessity of luting the lids would be found economical.
The first part of the Invention relates to means for supplying the coal
to hoppers carried on traversing cars. Secured to the tie rods of the
iron roof frame of the retort house and on each side of the bench stacks
I mount an elevated endless rail or single railway extending the whole
length of the retort house, and back again ten feet asunder. The ends
are connected by semicircles five feet radius, the centres of which are
common to the centres of vertical shafts which carry drums of ten feet
diameter. Those at the receiving ends of the system are located in

page_text: suitable towers outside of the gable end of the retort house. There are
thus two receiving towers and two independent lines of elevated railways
with corresponding charging machines. A description of one of these
towers and railways will suffice for both.
The drums are of two distinctive characters; the one at the lower
end of the retort house (termed an idler) simply transmits and gives
return direction to the endless belt, to which at stated intervals the
pendant buckets are attached. The drum within the tower performs the
double duty of causing the belt with its attachments of pendant
buckets to travel, and affords effective means by which the buckets may
be successively filled with coal. The buckets are supported vertically
by being attached to suitable wheels travelling on the pendant railway
before described. The distance asunder at which the buckets are
attached to the belt is equivalent to the semi-circumference of the
revolving drums. Thus, when the drum revolves, one bucket is coming
in contact with its periphery at the moment of time when the preceding
bucket is leaving the same. During the time a bucket is in contact
with the revolving drum (being the time of half a revolution) the speed
of each are coincident, and their relation to each other is equivalent to a
state of rest. At this moment the coal is conveyed from an upper
pocket into the bucket. The drum is provided with diagonal chutes
(one opposite the other) leading from a common centre above the drum
to openings in its periphery. The apex of these chutes is cylindrical in
form into which the spout of the upper receiving pocket terminates.
Each diagonal chute is provided with two valves, the edges of which
are armed with steel blades to shear any coal which might otherwise
tend to clog their action. These valves are opened & shut by suitable
connections receiving their motion from a cam or cams secured to the
central shaft. Their office is to allow a quantity of coal to enter the
chutes at each revolution of the drum, and to deposit the same in the
bucket which is in contact with the periphery of the drum.
The portion of the buckets which carries the coal is cylindrical in form,
and the plane of its travel is below the face of the drum. Attached to
the top of the cylindrical part is a portion of the bucket, of half cylinder
form, the planes of whose travel is directly in line with the plane of the
drum. This portion of the bucket is open upon its face, and when in
contact with the drum covers the chute opening therein, and forms a
close connection for the coal to travel to the buckets.

page_text: The means adopted to elevate the coal from the yard to the receiving
pocket is the well known method of elevating bucket used in handling
grain. The coal as it passes into the elevator may run through rolls, the
office of which is to size and mix the material.
The second part of the Invention relates to the means of accurately
measuring out the proper quantity for a charge, and placing it in the
proper charger. I employ a broad stout car to traverse the entire length
of the retort house on rails secured to the floor and set to a 12 feet
guage. It is self-propelling, the power required therefor being furnished
by the boiler and engines mounted thereon, for the purpose of performing
the various functions of the machine. Midway upon the car, and
between the " charger" and "discharger" is located the "meter" whose
office it is to receive the coal from the buckets of the pendant railway
as they pass, separate it into quantities suitable for each retort, and
deposit it into the scoops of the " charger."
"
This operation is performed as follows, viz.:-There is a trip wheel
mounted on the edge of the metre hopper which, coming in contact
with the trip latch of the pendant coal buckets as they traverse the
building, releases the bottom of the said buckets as they arrive over the
hopper, allowing the coal to fall therein. When the hopper is full, the
trip wheel is drawn aside, allowing the buckets to pass untripped until
they arrive at the hopper of the next machine should two or more be in
operation on the same line of track. Should neither of the machines
require coal for a long time, the engineer in charge of the "pendant
railway," who should stand where he can see the hopper or hoppers, and
also any signals which may be made by the attendants at the car or
cars, will slow or stop the motion of the buckets until more coal is
needed.
The metre has a revolving cylinder divided by longitudinal partitions
into three parts, each part having a capacity equivalent to the amount
of coal required for one retort. There are openings in each division of
the revolving cylinder communicating in turn with an opening at the
bottom of the coal hopper, and as the cylinder revolves each division is
in turn filled with coal. The edges of the opening, both of the cylinder
and coal hopper, are arined with blades of steel which perform the office
of shears to cut any coal which would otherwise clog the revolving of
the metre cylinder.

page_text: "
When the cylinder revolves one third of its circumference, the coal
deposited in the first division finds an outlet, and is dumped on an
inclined plane which leads directly to the top scoop of the charger."
The next third of a revolution deposits the contents of the second
division which is prevented from following the course of the first, and
forced to travel into the middle scoop by means of an automatic
arrangement which at the proper time removes a portion of the upper
inclined plane and presents the inclined plane for the middle scoop to
the catch of the coal. The remaining third revolution deposits the coal
of the third division; it is guided to the lower scoop by the automatic
removal of a portion of the second inclined plane, allowing the inclined
plane of the lower scoop to be presented to the catch of the coal..
The third part of the Invention relates to the charging machinery.
The "charger" consists of a carriage mounted on wheels which traverse
the main car transversely to the line on which the main. car itself
travels. This carriage is provided with three charger scoops placed one
above the other, at distances corresponding to the vertical measure
between the retorts; these scoops are of a form similar to the shape of
the retorts and are provided with movable bottoms controlled by
suitable racks and pinions; when the scoops are filled with coal from the
metre the carriage is thrust forward, and while the scoops are within
the retorts the bottoms are withdrawn, thus allowing the coal to fall in
even layers on the retort bottoms; the carriage is then drawn back, this
action causing the sliding bottoms to be replaced, when again the scrops
are ready to receive the charges from the metre.
The fourth part of the Invention relates to means for drawing out the
coke. The discharging apparatus is on a carriage traversing across the
main car like that already described, and is provided with three "rakes;"
by an automatic device the rakes are made to produce the motion and
draw the coke in the same manner that it is now done by hand labor, but
with greater dispatch, as three retorts are discharged at the same
moment of time. The steam engine or engines carried on the carriage
operates mechanism to thrust the "charger" and "discharger" back and
forth, withdraw the bottoms of the scoops, revolve the metre, set the
separating valves of the incliued planes, and traverse the entire machine,
as required, from one tier of retorts to another and from bench to
bench.

page_text: The machinery is so arranged that the work of discharging the coke
from one tier of retorts, and the charging of the coal into another tier of
retorts, can proceed at one and the same time.
The metering of coal into the scoops may be done while the machine
travels from tier to tier. In the accompanying Drawings (forming a
part of this Specification) similar letters of reference refer to correspond-
ing parts wherever they are used.
The following is a description of what I consider the best means of
carrying out the first part of the Invention, that which pertains to the
supplying the coal to the machine for measuring it into the charger.
Referring to the Drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in
section; a portion is broken away; it may be understood to be in-
definitely prolonged, according to the length of the retort house.
Figure 2 is a diagram or partial horizontal section showing a portion
of the apparatus in plau.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the retort house; it shows a portion o
the coal-carrying apparatus in end elevation.
Figures 4 and 5 represent certain portions on a larger scale.
f
Figure 4 is a vertical section partly in elevation showing the main
drum with its valves and means for operating them; and Figure 5 is a
view at right angles thereto; some of the parts are shown in section.
A is the fixed framework, a portion of which marked A¹ is a
suspended railway, depending from a strong roof and extending along
the front of the retorts at a proper distance therefrom to allow the
depositing of the loads of coal in the retort charging apparatus, the
prominent features of which are represented.
The measuring and charging apparatus as also the mechanism for
raking and emptying the retorts, are set forth further on in the descrip-
tion of the several other parts of the Invention, and need not be here
minutely described.
B is a steam engine giving motion by means of gearing, as represented
to a stout drum B'; there is a corresponding idle drum B2, at or near
the opposite end of the retort house; B3, B4, are long and practically
homogeneous bands of steel or other suitable material having sufficient

page_text: flexibility. They, with the buckets interposed, form continuous bands
which extend horizontally around the two drums B¹, B². The turning
of the drum B¹ by the engine B compels both belts B³ and B' with their
attached buckets to traverse slowly up and down the whole length of
the retort house.
C, C, are the buckets for receiving and transporting the coal; their
lower portions are cylindrical and of sufficient size to retain the load of
coal which they are to carry. Their upper portions are of somewhat
smaller diameter and semi-cylindrical; they form the means of suspension
for the lower portion, and serve as guides to receive and direct down-
ward the charges of coal, which are successively received as they pass
around the drum B¹. The bottom of each bucket is somewhat con-
tracted and provided with a hinged door C turning on the hinge c, and
adapted to be held in a closed position by means of a locking lever C³,
which turns on the hinge o² and is formed in two parts with the
bar C³, connecting them at the upper level to pass under the projec-
tion C5, which forms a part of the door C³. The swinging frame or
locking lever C² extends considerably below the projection C³, and is
bent as represented, and carries a roller C which performs two functions;
first, that of an anti-friction roller to make a rolling contact with
suitable stops to turn the lever and allow the door C¹ to drop; second,
as a weight to cause the lever C² to stand forcibly in the right position
to hold the door C¹ engaged. The lower face of the door C¹ has further-
more two deep webs c¹, c¹, which are adapted to receive the contact of
suitable stops or fixed parts which may be furnished or not, with
anti-friction rollers by which the door C with its projection C³ may be
any
closed.
The slow rotation of the drums B¹, B', and the consequent slow
traversing motion of the belts B³, B*, cause the buckets C with
their loads to move with a constant motion along the line of the
railway A¹. A stout arm extending up from each bucket carries two
rollers or wheels which run on the suspended railway A¹, and supports
the weight. The measuring, charging, and raking apparatus, which I
will, for brevity, now term the charging machine, will be moved from
time to time into various positions along the line, but wherever it may
be at the time it presents a roller m, which is adapted to act against the
roller C, and cause the lever C³ to be deflected, and the door C¹ to drop
at the proper moment and deposit the entire contents of the bucket C

page_text: in the hopper of the charging machine. When the heavy door C¹ has
swung down into a perpendicular position its further motion is suddenly
arrested by the construction of its joint c, so that its sudden arrest will
impart a jar or shaking motion to the entire bucket. This aids to insure
against the coal being ever retained by arching in the lower contracted
portion of the bucket.
A bucket C having been thus emptied travels entirely down the re-
mainder of the line and passing around the drum B², returns with the
returning motion of the belts. When it is near the drum B¹ the webs C¹
strike against two rollers D, properly placed to effect the closing of the
door C¹. In this closing motion the bevilled end of the projection C5
acts first against the roller C4, and then against the locking cross piece
C³, which latter is preferably armed with a roller to reduce the friction,
and by these actions deflects the lever C² until the door C¹ is tightly
closed, in which position the locking lever C2 sinks and confines it.
The inner face of the semi-cylindrical upper portion of each
bucket is closed near its top and bottom by curved pieces c³, ct, which
form in effect continuations of the belts B³, B*. They are curved to
exactly conform to the periphery of the drums B¹ and B*.
They fit
closely thereto in passing around each drum, and may be provided if
preferred, as also may the entire length of each drum, with holes or in-
dentations receiving spurs on the drums to guarantee against any
possible slipping. It is important to provide, by some such obvious
means, not represented, against either a sudden or gradual slipping, and
to insure that the several buckets shall be always presented in uniform
positions on the drums, more especially on the main drum B¹. The
charge to fill the bucket is introduced from the interior of the drum,
being supplied to the drum at the centre above and conducted to the
open inner faces of the upper portions of the buckets through inclined
chutes with proper controlling valves.
A is a fixed pocket or hopper through which the coal is supplied. A
cylindrical mouth 6 embraces the bottom of the hopper, and turns with
and forming a part of the drum B¹. It forms the upper bearing of the
drum. The coal received from the hopper A2 fills the mouth 6, and
is measured off and delivered into the inclined chutes B5, B³, by means
of partially revolving or oscillating valves E¹, E².
The delivering mechanism is alike on the two sides of the drum B¹;
in each the upper valve E¹ turns into a position to allow the coal to pass

page_text: it, while the lower valve E2 is in a position which arrests the coal. In
this condition the coal flows down past the upper valve E¹ and fills
or nearly fills the space in the chute between it and the lower valve E².
Then the upper valve E³ turns into a closed position, and the lower
valve opens and allows the coal thus detained to be discharged into
one of the buckets. This discharging operation takes place during
the period while a bucket C is held with the open inner face of its
upper portion presented to the drum B¹ in the proper position to receive
the coal.
The valves E', E³, are each in the form of a partial cylinder. They
are each provided with strong cutting knives adapted to crush and
divide any coal which may stand in the way, and they are turned by
mechanism represented on a large scale in Figures 4 and 5. They
receive their powerful motion in one direction and the other through
connections from a fixed cam. A³ is the fixed cam mounted on a post
rising through the centre of the drum B¹ and having a groove a³ around
it which receives rollers e, e, carried on pins fixed on vertical slide
bars E mounted in the drum, with freedom only to rise and sink
therein. There are two of these slide bars mounted on opposite
sides of the axis of the drum. When one is highest the other is lowest.
Each is connected by a link to a lever on one of the upper valves E¹
and gives motion to it directly. Each upper valve E' is also connected
to the lower valve E³ of the chute on the opposite side and thus
gives a simultaneous motion to that by means of the lever and links
represented.
I prefer that the coal shall be broken or crushed to a small size
before being introduced in the pocket or fixed hopper A*; but I
beleive that the apparatus may be worked successfully with tolerably
irregular sized coal.
An endless belt elevator is employed to elevate the coal from a
suitable pit below and deposit it in the hopper A². The upper wheel.
of the elevator is indicated by Aº, the lower wheel by A7, and the
buckets of the elevator by A³. The coal brought up by the buckets A³
is led into the hopper A³ by means of a chute A4.
The engineer sits in a convenient position, preferably near the
engine B, where he can overlook the working of the entire series of
buckets and observe the necessities of the one or more charging

page_text: machines which are to be supplied with coal. He can control the
rate with which the several operations progress, so as to deliver the
buckets of coal faster or slower, as required. When by any chance,
notwithstanding such supervision, the hopper of the charging machinery
is likely to get too full and the parties in attendance thereon do not
desire to receive a bucket full of coal, which is arriving, they can
move the roller m temporarily out of the way and thus allow the
bucket of coal to pass. In such case the bucket goes unemptied and
passing around the idle drum B2 comes back loaded. It is desirable
to empty and again close the bottom in order to present the bucket in
a proper condition to receive a further charge of coal. To insure that
each bucket is empty on arriving at the drum B₁ I provide an emptying
roller d mounted on the fixed framework A, and which stands in
the proper position to touch the weighted roller C4 and thus trip the
lever, provided it has not been previously tripped by the roller m. This
safety emptying roller d is represented near the drum B. This, having
been passed, the empty bucket next passes the closing rollers D,
which act on the surfaces c³, c¹, on the lower face of the door C¹ and
close it, as has been already described.
I claim as regards this first part of the Invention,-
First. The series of buckets C, discharging through their bottoms,
supported on a railway A¹ with connecting means carried on drums B¹, B³,
combined and arranged as herein specified.
Second. In connection with the above the construction of the
buckets C, with the upper portion curved to match to the peripheries
of the drums, and with openings therein adapted to receive the loads
from the interior of a drum, as herein specefied.
Third. The construction of the drum B' with a receiving mouth b
at the centre of the top with chutes B³, adapted to lead the coal from
the said mouth to the several buckets, as herein specified,
Fourth. The valves E¹, E², with suitable operating means in combina-
tion with the revolving chutes B³ and series of traversing buckets C,
substantially as herein specified.
Fifth. The elevator A6, A7, A8, and hopper A2, arranged as represented
relatively to the revolving mouth 6, chutes B5, controlling means E¹, E³,
and traversing buckets C, substantially as and for the purposes herein
specified.

page_text: Sixth. The trap doors C¹, with their holding means C³, C³, mounted
on the traversing buckets C, in combination with the tripping device m,
carried on the charging machine, all arranged for joint operation as and
for the purposes specefied.
Seventh. The safety opening device d, arranged as shown relatively to
the traversing buckets C, filling means E, E¹, E³, movable receiver or
charging machines, and tripping device m, as herein specified.
Eighth. The valve operating slides E, e, worked by the cam A³, a³,
and connected as shown to the valves E¹ in the chutes B5, for the purpose
specified.
Ninth. The connection between the upper valve El on one side of the
drum B¹ to the lower valve E³ on the opposite side to cause both to be
operated by one motion as herein specified.
The following is a description of what I consider the best means of
carrying out the second part of the Invention, that which pertains to the
measuring off a proper quantity for a charge and the depositing the same
in the proper charger.
Referring to the Drawings, Figure 6 is a front elevation; Figure 7 is
a vertical section transverse to the axis of the revolving meter; Figure 8
is a side elevation, and Figure 10 is a back view.
These Figures relate not only to this second part of the Invention, but
also to other parts. So also some of the other Figures show this part of
the Invention.
F is a large stout carriage or car traversing on rails a parallel to the
faces of the retorts. This car F carries a boiler, F5, engine or engines, Fo,
a measuring machine, rails f for two movable machines which respectively
charge and empty the retorts and trains of mechanism for working the
whole from the said engines.
F4 is a framework or casing fixed on the car F. The top of the
frame F is a hopper in which the coal is deposited from the traversing
buckets C. The measuring off of the coal is effected by the aid of a
revolving wheel.
I will use the letter G to indicate the entire revolving portion or
wheel of the metre, using the marks G¹, G³, G³, to indicate special parts
thereof when necessary. The metre is of sufficient capacity to accomo.

page_text: date the charges for three retorts, one in each of three chambers G¹, G³, G³.|
The aperture of each is made with a stout angular edged steel knife
marked g. The chambers are formed by removable pieces of boiler iron
marked respectively g¹, g³, g³, which are sustained in longitudinal grooves
provided in the interior of the cylindrical shell or body G as represented.
One end of the revolving metre is removable. On removing this the
several thin metal partitions g³, g³, g³, may be seized by any suitable
means and drawn forcibly out with a motion parallel to the axis of the
metre. I provide several sets of these partitions, differently shaped, so
that by removing one set and inserting another I can change the capacity
of the metre at will.
Another plan for accomplishing nearly the same end with a single
fixed set of partitions would be to employ removable pieces to be intro-
duced and removed at will; they may be held by bolts or nails. When
it is desired to reduce the capacity of a chamber the several pieces may
be removed and larger ones introduced in their places, or in some cases
a piece of beard or other convenient piece of wood may be nailed or
otherwise fastened on the outer face of a piece previously employed. I
prefer to make the partitions exchangeable.
When in consequence of the clearing of the retorts from the gas
carbon previously accumulated or the introduction of new retorts, it
becomes expedient to increase the capacities of the chambers G¹, G², G³,
the several partition plates g³, 9ª, 9³, are drawn out, and others of a
different form substituted. The metre is then again ready to deliver an
amount of coal equal to the full capacities of the retorts as at first.
The inclined spouts or chutes F1, F2, F³, lead the coal, as will be
understood, into retort chargers carried at corresponding heights to be
described further on.
This apparatus may be used with any such device which will receive
the coal through a broad aperture in the upper portion of each charger.
The valves f, f³, are brought into play at the proper times to deflect
the several charges into the respective spouts F¹, F². Each is controlled
by a lever f connected to a yoke fe carrying a roller f' acted on by a
Cam G4 on the overhanging end of the metre shaft. The cams G4 hold
the valves ¹, f, in their vertical positions during a great portion of
each revolution, but at the period when either should stand across the
passage in the casing F¼ and deflect its proper charge of coal into the

page_text: connected. spout or chute Fl or F³, the form of the corresponding
cam G allows the corresponding yoke to sink by gravity aided by a
spring in a casing f, and the valve is placed in the said position...
After the coal composing that charge has had sufficient time to pass,
the cam raises the yoke again and that valve rises again into its vertical
or idle position.
The coal is liable to move too fast and induce mischief unless re-
tarded, especially in moving into or through the lowermost spout F³. I
provide means to retard its fall. On the under side of each of the
valves,, is an inclined deflector f³. This deflector is of no effect
when the valve is in the inclined position accross the casing; but when
the valve is in the upright position, forming in effect a portion of the
vertical wall of the casing F, the inclined deflector becomes effective
in retarding the descent of the coal which is passing down to a lower
spout. Each deflection tends to arrest the coal and throw it against the
opposite wall of the casing where there are also corresponding inclined
deflectors f which further retard it and deflect it back again. The
effect of the whole series of deflectors f³ and f* is to so retard the coal
that after falling through a considerable height, being alternatively
deflected from one side to the other of the casing, its velocity is little if
any greater than that which it had in being first discharged from the
metre. The metre wheel G may be turned forcibly and slowly by any
suitable means. I have represented a worm wheel turned by the engine
with a clutch for connecting and disconnecting as desired.
nection from the engine or engines to propel the car F along on its
track I have not deemed it necessary to detail. A friction clutch and
any suitable gearing to the supporting wheels, or to a spur wheel, or
screw working in a fixed rack may be employed. Brushes may be used
to sweep all the several rails or ways.
The con-
Some of the features of this part of the Invention may be usefully
employed without the others. Thus for example, the deflectors f³ and ƒ*
may be used without the provisions for charging the capacities of the
chambers G', G2, G³. So also the provision for automatically working
the valves f¹ may be used without the inclined deflectors.
I claim as regards this second part of the Invention,―
in
First. A revolving metre G having two or more chambers G¹, G',
combination with the hopper and casing F, spouts F³, F2, and valves ƒ', ƒª³,
as and for the purposes heṛein specified,

page_text: Second. In combination with the revolving metre G, hopper and
casing F, and spouts f¹, f, the movable partitions separating the
chambers G³, G, adapted to be introduced and removed by a longitudinal
motion, as herein specified.
Third. In combination with the metre G, hopper and casing F,
spouts F1, F2, and movable valves f,f, the levers on the valve shafts,
Jokes, and cams arranged for joint operation, as herein specified,
Fourth. In combination with the hopper F, revolving metre G with
suitable casing, inclined spouts and connections, the cutting knives g
mounted in the metre G so as to facilitate the divisions of the pieces of
coal which stand across the openings, as specified.
Fifth. In combination with the metre G and several spouts F₁, F³,
mounted at different levels in the casing F, the deflectors fs, f, arranged
as shown and adapted to retard the descent of the coal to the lower
spout or spouts, substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.
Sixth. The combination on a single car F of the measuring machinery
and rails for guiding the charging machines and raking machinery. Also
the combination therewith of the boiler and engine or engines for
operating these several mechanisms.
In reference to the third part of my Invention, that which pertains
to the charging of the coal into the retorts after it has been measured
into the charges, I remark that the revolving scoops in common use,
whether worked by hand or by machinery are illy adapted to charge
the flat bottomed retorts, commonly called D retorts in general use in
this country.
I
One of the cylindrical retorts of Europe can be filled to a proper
height by the inversion of a simi-cylindrical scoop of a little less
diameter, but several repletions with scoops of small diameter are
required for properly charging a D retort, and the time involved is an
important element for many reasons, not the least of which is the long
of the retort to the cooling action of the atmosphere.
employ a scoop which is not reversable, and is of a shape to correspond
approximately with the interior of the D shaped retort; it is permanently
open at the top and receives the charge through such opening while
withdrawn; it is emptied by the removal of the bottom in conjunction
with peculiar means for retaining the coal in the retort until the
exposure

page_text: is withdrawn.
I consider the following the best means of carrying out this third
part of the Invention.
Referring to the Drawings,-
Figure 6 shows the charging mechanism in in front elevation. By front,
I mean the side nearest the retorts. Figure 7 shows the same in cross
section viewed from the front. Figure 8 shows a side elevation.
Figure 11 shows a cross section in a different plane from that in
Figure 7; the plane of section is viewed from the back. Figure 12 is
a vertical longitudinal section on the line S, S, in Figure 11.
Figures 15, 16, and 17 show one scoop in vertical section.
Figure 16 is a
Figure 17 shows
Figure 15 represents the scoop fully introduced into a retort, but
before the bottom is withdrawn to deposit the coal.
vertical cross section on the line S, S, in Figure 15.
the same scoop with the bottom withdrawn and the coal dropped upon
the bottom of the retort.
Figures 18, 19, and 20 represent a modification described further on.
His a relatively small but substantial carriage, mounted on wheels,
traversing on the transverse rails, on the large car F. This carriage is
moved forward and backward on these rails, at the will of the attendant,
by gearing. represented. The operation of the parts in moving the
carriage is the same as in moving the carriage of the raking mechanism,
which will be described in detail further on. H', H², H³, are scoops,
fixed rigidly to the carriage, and each of a proper length and size, to
enter and nearly fill the entire interior of a D retort. It will be under-
stood that the same carriage H may have six or any other number of
scoops properly arranged to correspond with the retorts which are to be
charged. The carriage is provided with mechanism for sliding out the
bottoms of all the scoops simulta ueously. I have represented but three
and a description of these with the means of operating them will suffice
for any number. I, I, I, are corrugated cast-iron bottoms, sliding in
grooves, provided in the interior of each side of the scoops H², H², H³.
The corrugations extend longitudinally of the bottoms, and excepting
these wavy lines and a strengthening rib along the middle of each
bottom, the entire upper surface is made smooth. The lower side of

page_text: corres-
each is formed with a stout rack, which receives the teeth of
ponding gear wheel I mounted on a shaft i¹, supported in bearings in
the carriage H, and provided with suitable means for turning it with
proper force when required. A fixed transverse partition h is con-
structed across each scoop, with its lower edge waved to match pretty
closely to the corrugated bottom I. A series of partial partitions h* are
fixed at intervals across the upper part of each scoop, but their lower
edges are much bigher. These partial partitions brace and stiffen the
scoop. Flap valves h** are mounted to turn in one direction on hinges
near the base of the respective fixed partitions h*. When the coal is
introduced through the several spouts F¹, F³, F³, the flap valves h*
stand vertically in the position represented in Figure 15.
To charge a tier of retorts, the covers or doors of the retorts having
been removed, the carriage H with its scoops H², H³, H³, properly 'filled
with suitable coal is run forward on its track and the scoops are thereby
thrust properly into the retorts. Then the gear wheels being operated,
the bottoms I are drawn out and the coal in the several compartments
of the scoops is allowed to drop a little and to rest on the bottoms of the
several retorts. In drawing out the bottoms of the scoops, the paitial
partitions h* and the valves h** perform the important function of
preventing the coal from being drawn out with the bottoms. The
descent of the coal after the removal of the bottoms brings the upper
line of the coal about level with the lower edges of the fixed par-
titions *. On moving the carriage H backward on its track, the now
bottomless scoops H³, H², H³, are easily withdrawn from the retort, the
flap valves ** readily turning into the position shown in Fig. 16, so
as not to draw out or much disturbe the coal. During the latter part of
the backward movement of the carriage H on its track, the
bottoms I, I, I, are held stationary and are thus restored to their places
in the several scoops, and the valves ** having again dropped by
gravity into the original vertical position, another charge of coal, is
introduced from above, each through its proper spout or chute, and the
charger is ready to enter and deposit coal in the next tier of retorts.
It will be readily understood that the partition h, which extends quite
to the bottom of each scoop, should come just within the front of the
retort. It will also be understood that the further end of the scoop may
have no valve, but the partition at that point should not come so low as
to seriously disturb the coal. Any irregularities in the surface of the

page_text: coal as it is deposited in the retort may be evened or smoothed down by
the lower edges of the partitions as the scoops are withdrawn.
I beleive that the corrugating of the bottoms, and the corresponding
form of the lower edges of the adjacent parts, are important in practice
to give sufficient strength with reasonable weight; but some of the
advantages of the Invention may be realized with other forms for these
parts. So also I can operate with some success with only a single scoop
at a time, but I prefer the entire tier.
Instead of drawing the bottoms I, I, entirely out to drop the coal, I
can deposit tolerable charges by a properly constructed scoop, with a
bottom I adapted to be drawn out only a little way. Figures 18, 19,
and 20 represent such a modification in vertical section, Figure 18 show-
ing the partial bottom I* holding up the coal to introduce it, and Fig. 19
showing it after its adjustment to drop the coal. Figure 20 is a cross
section on the line T, T, in Figure 19.
I claim as regards this 3d part of the Invention,―
1st. The scoop H¹ with suitable supporting means H, and having a
removable bottom I and valve h** combined and arranged for joint
operation substantially as herein specified.
2nd. The removable bottom I corrugated longitudinally in combina-
tion with the correspondingly formed valves **, and curved sides adapted
to match in a D retort, and reciprocate separately therein, substantially
as and for the purposes herein set forth.
3rd. The partial bottom I*, with means for moving it, as set forth in
Figures 18, 19, and 20, in combination with a suitable D section charger
and means for operating it, as herein specified.
The following is what I consider the best means of carrying out the
fourth part of the Invention, that which relates to the raking out of the
coke :-
I have devised mechanism which overcomes many of the objections
heretofore formidable in the discharging of retorts by machinery.
The following is a description of the best means of carrying out the
fourth part of the Invention. Referring to the Drawings,―
Figure 6 shows the raking mechanism in front elevation. Figure 9
shows the same in side elevation, representing the carriage and rakes
about midway in their traverse. Figure 10 shows a back view.

page_text: Figure 11 is a back view of the frame which carries the rakes, and
vertical section of the supporting framing and gearing.
Figure 13 is a vertical section at right angles to Figure 1), and
Figure 14 is a horizontal section through the upper part of the
supporting framing, showing the side adjustment of the rakes.
J is a rigid open work carriage or framing, carried on wheels j,
running on ways mounted transversely on the large car F. A stout frame
K is hung in the framing J on levers L, L, at the top, and the lever Q¹
at the bottom. It is capable of swinging on these levers through about
one-sixth of a revolution of the levers. I term this the jumping frame.
K is a stout sliding piece mounted on the frame K, and capable of a
slight horizontal motion thereon. It is supported and guided in such
motion by transverse dovetails k, which are mounted in corresponding
transverse grooves in the frameing K. M are knuckle joints formed on
the slide K¹, and supporting long levers M¹, M', each provided at the
end with a rake head m' adapted to act on the coke in a corresponding
retort.
In operating, the carriage J is moved forward towards the retorts with
the carriage K, and its connections in a lifted position. Then on the
motion of the carriage J being reversed at the will of the attendant, the
carriage K with the rakes and other connections descends a little
distance in a nearly vertical line which introduces the several rakes into
the beds of coke in several respective retorts, and as the carriage J
is moved backward the rakes draw out the coke thus seized. On moving
the carriage J inward again the rakes are again lifted, and after being
carried in further than before they are again dropped into the coke and
again withdrawn.
When a hard mass of coke or other cause holds up
the forward ends of the rakes and prevents their descending as rapidly as
the jumping frame K, the knuckle joints M become available by
yielding. So soon as the retreating motion has progressed a little the
rakes will invariably descend by their gravity to a position near the
bottom of the several retorts.
The main portion of each lever M is tubular. The tube may be
screwed or keyed into a stout casting or forging which forms a part of
the knuckle joint. The outer portion immediately connected to the
head m¹ is solid and is socketed into the tubular portion and held by a
key or other suitable means.

page_text: The heads may thus be changed at will without necessitating a change
of the main portion. I propose to circulate water within the tubular
parts to keep them cool.
The mechanism by which the jumping frame K and its connections
are raised and lowered at the proper period by simply changing the
motion of the carriage J forward and backward is as follows:-The
carriage J is moved by the shaft N which runs in fixed bearings in the
sub frame or car F, and is turned constantly in one direction by the
steam engine Fº. This shaft N carries a wheel N¹ which is free to slide
end wise on N, and is caused to so slide by means of arms J¹, J', fixed on
the carriage J so as to be held constantly in gear with the larger
wheel N² fixed on the shaft N³, carried in bearings on J. This shaft N³
thus receiving a constant motion in one direction and being carried on
the carriage J is ready to yield any amount of power required to work
the carriage J with its connections in either directions. N' is a bevil
wheel on the side shaft N³, gearing into two bevil wheels N³ and No
which turn loosely in opposite directions on the sleeve N which is
supported in bearings on the carriage J, and carries two spur gear
wheels N, N8, which mesh into the racks F8, a long slot in the side of
the main car F being provided to allow it to move forward and back.
P is a slender shaft mounted within the sleeve N7 and free to turn in
either direction therewith, it is moved axially at will by a hand lever P¹,
and thereby operates reversely, mounted wedge-shaped arms P³, P³,
which as they are moved in one direction or the other expand one or the
other of elastic curved pieces n³ or n³, and cause one of them to take
hold by friction of the corresponding bevil wheel N³ or N°. It thus
causes one or the other to become effective and move the carriage J in
or out by means of the spur wheels N° as will be obvious according as
the shaft P is moved in one direction or the other.
The exact proportions of the friction clutches N³, nº, Nº, nº, need not
be detailed as they will offer no difficulty to skilled mechanics. It may
be practicable to variously modify this part of the mechanism, one plan
being to make the sleeve N' a solid shaft capable itself of a sufficient
end motion; but I prefer the plan shown, in which the interior shaft P
connects through the aid of keys standing in short slots in the sleeve N'
to the arms P2, P3, and causes them to act wedgewise in the openings
in the respective friction bands n³, nº, mounted in the back faces of
the wheels N³, No.

page_text: 1
Q. Q, are sector shaped pieces adapted to roll on the same track
which forms the tread for the supporting wheels j; or a separate track
may be mounted near it and adapted to act with precision. These
sectors are mounted on a shaft g supported in bearings in the carriage J.
As the carriage moves backward the friction of the sector pieces Q, Q,
on the ways below causes them to roll and thereby to turn the shaft q
until it reaches the position represented, where it remains sliding on the
way until the motion of the carriage J is reversed. When this occurs
the friction induces a corresponding change of position of the sector
pieces Q, Q, and shaft 2. The sector pieces Q, Q, roll on the ways
until they have turned about one-sixth of a revolution and thus reached
the other extreme position. Then they again commence to slide, and
continue to slide so long as the carriage J moves forward. But the
moment the forward motion of the carriage J is arrested and it com-
meuces to be moved backward again, the friction of the sector
pieces Q, Q, again changes the position of the shaft q.
The levers L, L, which support the top of the jumping frame K, are
keyed on a shaft 1 which turns freely in bearings in the carriage J.
The levers L, L, are extended beyond the shaft and slightly bent. On
the bent extension is mounted the adjustable weigh: L' provided with
one or more set screws by which it can be held at any distance
desired from the axis or shaft / so as to most efficiently balance the
weight of the jumping frame and its connections. There is a lever Q
keyed on the shaft g the position of which is controlled by the sector
pieces Q, Q. It follows that at each change of motion of the carriage J
the partially rolling of the sector pieces Q, Q, and shaft Я induces a
rising and backward motion or a sinking and forward motion of the
jumping frame K with its rakes M and other connected parts.
The proportions of the parts are such that the forward motion of the
jumping frame K in its descent is just about equal to the backward
motion of the carriage J required to induce it, so that although the
carriage J commences to traverse actively backwards before the
rakes M¹ have descended into their respective beds of coke the descent
of each rake is practically vertical.
Means not here represented are provided for arresting the motion of
the main our 17

page_text: of retorts; but it will sometimes happen that the raking mechanism
requires a slight adjustment to one side or the other after the car F is
stopped. I provide for this by moving the transverse slide K¹ a little
to one side or the other on its dovetailed supports k. The attendant
operating the rakes holds with one hand lever K³ which is adapted
to swing horizontally on a fixed axis in the jumping frame and
give motion to the slide K¹ by means of sectors K² gearing into racks in
the rear face of the slide K¹ as fully shown in Figure 14. By means of
this lever K³ the slide K₁ and the series of racks M¹ may be moved late-
rally several inches when required without interfering with their vertical
or other forward and backward motion.
The shaft is pressed downward by springs q² acting on the binders
9. The effect is to induce an even and regular friction on the sector
pieces Q, Q, notwithstanding slight inequalities in the way on which
they move. I find it is important to hold the jumping frame K very
steady during the backward motion. To insure this I provide small
stops on its back edges, which extend out a little and engage with the
frame J or with small projections j¹ thereon, as will be obvious.
I claim as regards this 4th part of the Invention,-
First. In combination with a carriage J moving forward and backward
on the main car F, the jumping frame K rakes M¹, m³, and means for
raising and lowering them so as to enter the retorts in an elevated and
return in a depressed position, as herein specified.
Second. The knuckle joints M between the rake levers M₁ and the
jumping frame K and its connections, as herein specified.
Third. In combination with the traversing carriage J, jumping frame
K, and connected rakes M¹, the transverse slide K¹, and adjusting means
K³, K³, arranged to allow the adjustment of the rakes to one side or the
other within moderate limits, as herein specified.
Fourth. The friction sectors Q, Q, and springs 92, 93, in combination
with the traversing carriage J and its operating means, jumping frame
K, rakes M, m', and balancing or partially balancing means I, arranged
as shown, so that the changes of motion of the carriage J will elevate or
depress the rakes, as herein specified.

page_text: Fifth. The stops K' on the jumping frame K arranged to serve
relatively to the main frame J and to the means of raising and lowering
K, as and for the purposes herein specified.
I, the said Thomas Fitch Rowland, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of March, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
Witnesses,
THOMAS DREW STETSON,
Patent Solicitor,
New York.
ARNOLD HÖRMANN,
New York.
THOMAS FITCH ROWLAND. (L.s.)