IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS FOR BURNING BRICKS AND OTHER MOULDED ARTICLES OF CLAY
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Gittins, of Bowling Brickworks, Bradford, in the
County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS FOR BURNING
BRICKS AND OTHER MOULDED ARTICLES OF CLAY."
Sealed the 13th March 1877, and dated the 23rd October 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Gittins at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd October 1876.
EDWARD GITTINS, of Bowling Brickworks, Bradford, in the County of York.
" IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS FOR BURNING BRICKS AND OTHER MOULDED ARTICLES
OF CLAY."
This Invention has for its object improvements in kilns for burning bricks and
other moulded articles of clay. For this purpose I build the kiln in the form of a
tunnel or flue, and at such an inclination that the articles stacked within it will
descend by gravity from the upper end at which they are introduced in a green
state to the lower end, from which when burnt the articles are withdrawn.
The articles are stacked in the upper end or mouth of the kiln in such a manner
as to leave spaces or channels between them for the free passage of air and hot
gases resulting from the combustion of fuel, which is introduced through firing holes
formed in the central part of the kiln. The fuel is burnt by means of air entering at
the lower end of the kiln, and the air becomes heated before it reaches the fuel by
passing amongst the bricks or articles already burnt, which at the same time are cooled
ready for removal. The portion of the kiln at which the fuel is introduced becomes
heated to a full red heat or to a higher heat when necessary, and here the burning
of the bricks or other articles is effected, and the hot products of combustion pass
on from this part of the kiln, and dry and prepare for burning the bricks or articles
stacked in the upper part. The products of combustion and vapour from the
drying bricks or articles pass out of the kilu by openings near the Hoor at a short
distance from the mouth or upper end where the moulded articles to be burnt are
introduced, so that the mouths of the kiln where the men work are kept quite cool.
The openings above mentioned are in connection with a chimney, which maintains
a good draft through the kiln.
The floor of the kiln, except at the parts which are most highly heated, I prefer
to form of iron, in order that the bricks or articles may slide freely upon it.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Gittins in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd April
1877.
"
_EDWARD GITTINS, of Bowling Brickworks, Bradford, in the County of York.
IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS FOR BURNING BRICKS AND OTHER MOULDED ARTICLES
OF CLAY."
This Invention relates to an improved construction of kiln for burning bricks
and other moulded articles of clay, whereby the outlay for kiln room is very
materially lessened, and great economy effected in fuel and in labor of setting
and drawing the goods, and all annoyance from smoke is avoided.
The kiln I employ according to this my Invention is a long tube or tunnel con-
structed at such an angle from the horizontal as will cause the goods when set or
placed in at the top to descend mainly or wholly by their own weight or gravity
to the bottom, where they are taken out or discharged, being effectually and properly
burnt on their way down the said tube or tunnel by fires to which the fuel is supplied
through apertures in the upper part, or by firing at the sides or underneath. The
goods supplied at the top gradually become dried as they descend, and having
arrived at that part where the heat is greatest are kept there till sufficiently burnt,
and then allowed to pass on. The air from the bottom as it passes through the
burnt goods cools them, and goes to supply the fire above, and then going up the
tunnel or kiln is taken into a flue at some distance from the top, and conducted
into the engine or other high chimney. There is a damper in this flue, so as to
regulate the draught. There is also a chimney erected on the upper part of the
kiln, in which there is also a damper, and the top and bottom of the said tunnel
or kiln is provided with a sheet-iron door to be opened or closed at pleasure.
In order to control the motion of the goods in the kiln I apply a weight worked
by a lever on to the goods near the bottom, by lifting which they are allowed to
pass forward as wished, Being continuous there is no loss of heat by the kiln
cooling; any heat that escapes through the flue may on its passage to the chimney
be utilized.
In order that this Invention may be clearly understood, I hereby give reference
to an accompanying Sheet of Drawings of a kiln constructed according to this
Invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 2 is a transverse section.
a, a, is the body of the kiln; it may conveniently be built upon the side of a
hill;
it is floored at the top and bottom of the slope with plates of cast iron, and
in the middle with fire-clay quarries. The goods to be burnt are set at the upper
end or mouth of the kiln at b in such manner as to leave spaces or channels for the
free passage of air and hot gases resulting from the combustion of the fuel supplied
to the kiln. c is the outlet at the bottom of the kiln where the burnt goods are
taken out; d is a flue leading to a chimney; it may be the same chimney that
serves the boiler furnaces for the engines driving the brick-making machinery. In
this flue there is a damper d for regulating the draught; e, e, are feeding holes by
which small fuel can be introduced amongst the goods. There are in each row
across the kiln five of these openings, and they are provided with moveable covers;
f and g are two sheet-iron doors, one at the top and the other at the bottom of the
kiln; f¹ is a trap at the upper part of the kiln, which can be opened more or less
to permit the escape of steam from the drying bricks; h is a chimney in connection
with the upper part of the kiln; it is opened whilst setting by drawing out the
damper h¹, so that at this time the draught at the mouth of the kiln may tend to
be in a downward direction; i is a fire-hole, which may be employed occasionally,
especially at the commencement of burning; and I would remark that if preferred

page_text: fire holes at the top and sides may be employed in the place of the feeding holes c,
but I believe the arrangement shown to be more convenient. j is a swing damper
to cause the ascending current of air to pass among the heated goods in place of
over the top; k is an iron plate, which by a weighted lever is caused to press upon
the top of the goods at the lower part of the kiln for the purpose of regulating the
delivery.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and shown by Drawings
how the same is to be carried into practical operation, I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement
herein shown and described; but what I claim as my Invention is, a kiln so con-
structed as that goods put in at the top descend mainly or wholly by the force of
gravity or their own weight, and having been effectually burnt on their way are
delivered at the bottom, substantially as herein shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Gittins, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
EDW³. GITTINS. (L.S.)