A NOVEL SYSTEM OF SELF-ACTING VENTILATING APPARATUS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER PURPOSES, AND TERMED AEROSPIRES.
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of the Firm of John
Gedge and Son, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "A NOVEL
SYSTEM OF SELF-ACTING VENTILATING APPARATUS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER
PURPOSES, AND TERMED AEROSPIRES.' "-A communication from abroad
by Louis Edouard Gourdon-Fromental, Doctor of Medicine, of Gray
(Haute Saone), France.
Sealed the 2nd October 1869, and dated the 7th April 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Gedge
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 7th April 1869.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of the Firm of John Gedge and Son, of
No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NOVEL
SYSTEM OF SELF-ACTING VENTILATING APPARATUS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER
PURPOSES, AND TERMED AEROSPIRES,' a communication to me from
" "

page_text: abroad by Louis Edouard Gourdon-Fromental, Doctor of Medicine, of
Gray, Haute Saône, France, to be as follows:-
The object of the apparatus, the subject of this Invention, is to prevent
the wind from driving back smoke into smoke conduits and thence into
apartments; to increase the draught of heating apparatus, and further
to aerate and purify localities needing special sanitory arrangements,
such as barracks or hospitals. Being of a very simple construction
this apparatus is placed with great facility and at no great cost at the
upper orifice of chimney or other flues. It is composed (as shown on
the accompanying Sheet of Drawing forming part of this Provisional
Specification) of two tubes A, B, and C, D, (Fig. 1,) joined at a right
angle and communicating with each other by the opening C, O, (Fig. 2).
In the thickness of the pipe A, B, and towards the point A is a third
conduit placed horizontally, shaped like a truncated cone, and the large
opening of which is set and riveted between A and C to the edge of
the horizontal tube. Its opposite opening G is of about one-third the
diameter of that of the tube A, B. Another tube E fitting to the lower
part of C, D, supports the pivot H and permits the rest of the apparatus
to revolve on its axis as a weather cock or to stop according to the
direction given to it by the crest K, that is to say, always presenting
to the wind the large opening of the conical tube. It is under the
influence of the current established through this latter tube that the
suction takes place through the entire length of the flue and with a
power proportioned to the strength of the wind and the size of the
apparatus in relation to the chimney or other conduit.
The " aerospire may also be composed of a single vertical tube
(Fig. 3), having in its centre a curved conical tube opening on to the
opposite part of the crest K of the weather cock. This latter tube may
even be replaced by a metal plate F, G, (Fig. 4) united interiorly to the
side of the tube. It divides the interior into two somewhat unequal
parts, and is curved in order to reach the upper part of a large opening
made in the side of the vertical tube. Although these two arrange-
ments may in some cases be usefully employed they are far from
possessing the power of suction of the first apparatus.
If greater
suction or draught be desired the size of the vertical tube which
encloses the conical tube is increased, the two other parts retaining
their previous diameter (about 14 inches). This latter kind is more
particularly intended for aerating large establishments.

page_text: In certain applications of this novel system it is necessary in order to
obtain good results that the various parts composing the said apparatus
should have fixed relative proportions, as indicated on Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9,
and 10, which are drawn to a scale of th their real size. It will be
observed that in these Figures the upper tube has a length three times
greater than its diameter, and that the interior of the cone at its opening
should correspond with the axis of the vertical tube and be about equal
to the radius of the horizontal tube. Employed as a means of preventing
the wind from driving smoke back into apartments or of increasing the
draught of chimneys the "aerospire" is moveable and turns according
to the impulsion of the wind, but as with all vanes a moment may
arrive when no longer influenced by the wind it will offer the opposite
part of the cone to the current of air and a contrary effect to that
desired will be then produced, for instead of drawing up the smoke
the "aerospire" will drive it back into the apartment. To obviate this
inconvenience, which is however of very rare occurence, the end of
the horizontal tube opposite to the conical tube is curved upwards so
that the orifice no longer follows a horizontal line, and is not influenced
by any current of air (see Fig. 11). When the "aerospire
" instead
of being set at work by a current of air itself moves in a calm or a
troubled air, as happens when placed on board of a ship in motion or
in a railway carriage, it gives even more certain results and above all
more continuous ones. In this latter case the power of suction or
exhaust is in exact relation to the dimensions of the apparatus and
the speed of the train or ship. By fitting to the conical tube at the
point A (Fig. 13) a pipe directing into the cone without loss a current
of air from any kind of blast engine a suction power is obtained
sufficiently great not only to raise immense volumes of gas by the
vertical tube, but also heavier bodies, such as water, grease, wood, and
even metals. By the aid of a not very powerful blast, mines of any
depth may be ventilated and constantly freed from dangerous gases
at a small cost, because a blast apparatus worked by an engine of
two-horse power will by the aid of the "aerospire" produce a ventilation
greater than that of other machines with 70 or 80 horse power.
"
This " "aerospire may also be usefully employed in cleaning seeds
by freeing them from dust and dirt. For this purpose the apparatus is
provided with a blast pipe A, B, (Fig. 13,) so that the vertical tube A, C,
draws the seeds to be purified from the spot M, where they are deposited

page_text: raising them together with the foreign bodies and ejecting them on to
the table D, E, F, which permits the descent of the dirt while retaining
the seeds, these latter afterwards falling into another compartment N
entirely cleaned. The conical tube composing the apparatus may be
replaced by a cylindrical conduit when worked by a blast. This
tube C, D, (Fig. 12) should have an opening about equal to half that
of the horizontal tube fitted through the part A, B, (otherwise entirely
closed), and have its opening D level with the axis of the vertical tube.
This arrangement while convenient in some cases has nevertheless the
defect of not giving to the apparatus the power obtained with equal
force by the conical tube.
Fig. 1 is a side view of an "aerospire" furnished with its directing
crest K, and showing at A the large opening of the conical tube; C, D,
vertical tube; E, lower tube fitting on to the conduit X of the chimney; 1
it carries the pivot H (Fig. 2) is set in the tube C, D, and its diameter
regulates the proportions of the apparatus.
Fig. 2, vertical section of the "aerospire." A, B, horizontal tube;
C, D, vertical tube; C, O, opening forming communication between
the two tubes; F, G, conical suction tube; E, lower tube penetrating 2
into the tube C, D, carrying the pivot H and continued by tube X.
Fig. 3, "aerospire" with vertical tube. A, B, tube forming con-
tinuation to the chimney or other pipe; F, G, curved conical tube
occupying the centre; H, pivot.
Fig. 4, modification in which the conical tube is replaced by a plate 2
attached to the sides.
Fig. 5, "
aerospire" possessing great power by reason of the great
size of the suction or exhaust chamber and of the cone which it
encloses.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 shew "aerospires" reduced to th their 3
natural size and bearing ciphers giving the dimensions of all the parts
composing them.
Fig 11, "aerospire" with curved upper tube.
Fig. 12, " aerospire
" in which the conical tube is replaced by a
cylindrical tube C, D, penetrating by the centre of the tube closed 38
at A, B.

page_text: Fig. 13, "aerospire
arranged for cleaning seed. A, B, blast pipe
fitted to the "aerospire" A; A, C, vertical tube where the suction is
established; D, E, F, wire gauze; M compartment with mixed seed;
N, receptacle for cleansed seed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Gedge in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 6th October 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD GEDGE, of the Firm of John Gedge and Son, of No. 11,
Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Edward Gedge, Her special
licence that I, the said William Edward Gedge, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward
Gedge, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 Inven-
tion for "A NOVEL SYSTEM OF SELF-ACTING VENTILATING APPARATUS, APPLICABLE
ALSO TO OTHER PURPOSES, AND TERMED AEROSPIRES," "a communication to me
from abroad by Louis Edouard Gourdon-Fromental, Doctor of Medicine,
of Gray (Haute Stone), France, upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Edward Gedge, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, 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,
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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Gedge, do hereby
declare 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, reference being had to the accompanying
Sheet of Drawing, and to the figures and letters of reference placed
thereon:-
The object of the apparatus, the subject of this Invention, is to prevent
the wind from driving back smoke into smoke conduits and thence into
apartments; to increase the draught of heating apparatus, and further
to aerate and purify localities needing special sanitary arrangements,
such as barracks or hospitals. Being of a very simple construction
this apparatus is placed with great facility and at no great cost at the
upper orifice of chimney or other flues. This apparatus is usually
composed of two tubes A, B, and C, D, Fig. 1 of the Drawing, joined
at a right angle, and communicating with each other by the opening
C, O, (Fig. 2). In the thickness of the horizontal pipe A, B, and
towards the joint A, is a third conduit placed horizontally, shaped like
a truncated cone, and the large opening of which is set and riveted
between A and C to the edge of one end of the horizontal tube. Its
opposite opening G is of about one-third the diameter of that of the
tube A, B. Another tube E fitting to the lower part of C, D, supports
the pivot H and permits the rest of the apparatus to revolve on its
axis as a weather cock or to stop according to the direction given to
it by the crest K, that is to say, always presenting to the wind the
large opening of the conical tube. It is under the influence of the
current established through this latter tube that the suction takes place
through the entire length of the flue and with a power proportioned
to the strength of the wind and the size of the apparatus in relation
to the chimney or other conduit. Instead of as hitherto flying from
the wind, fighting it, or guarding the smoke outlet from it, by the
method the subject of this Invention its power is utilized to draw upward
not only smoke but gases of all kinds wherever shut up.
"
The " aerospire may also be composed of a single vertical tube
(Fig. 3), having in its centre a curved conical tube opening on to the
opposite part of the crest K of the weather cock. This latter tube may
even be replaced by a metal plate F, G, (Fig. 4) united interiorly to
the side of the tube. It divides the interior into two somewhat unequal
parts, and is curved in order to reach the upper part of a large opening

page_text: made in the side of the vertical tube. Although these two arrange.
ments may in some cases be usefully employed, they are far from
possessing the power of suction of the first apparatus. If greater
suction or draught be desired the size of the vertical tube which encloses
the conical tube is increased, the two other parts retaining their previous
diameter (about 14 inches). This latter kind is more particularly
intended for aerating large establishments. Therefore with this
apparatus no more chimneys smoking because of the wind, aeration
and permanent purification of unhealthy places.
In certain applications of this novel system it is necessary in order to
obtain good results that the various parts composing the said apparatus
should have fixed relative proportions indicated on Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9,
and 10, which are drawn to a scale of th their real size. It will be
observed that in these Figures the upper tube has a length three times
greater than its diameter, and that the interior of the cone at its opening
should correspond with the axis of the vertical tube and be about equal
to the radius of the horizontal tube. Employed as a means of preventing
the wind from driving smoke back into apartments or of increasing the
draught of chimneys the "aerospire" is moveable and turns according
to the impulsion of the wind, but as with all vanes a moment may
arrive when no longer influenced by the wind it will offer the opposite
front of the cone to the current of air and a contrary effect to that
desired will be then produced, for instead of drawing up the smoke
the "aerospire" will drive it back into the apartment. To obviate this
inconvenience, which is however of very rare occurence, the end of
the horizontal tube opposite to the conical tube is curved upward so
that the orifice no longer follows a horizontal line and is uninfluenced
by any current of air (see Fig. 11). When the "aerospire," instead
of being set at work by a current of air itself moves in a calm or a
troubled air, as happens when placed on board of a ship in motion or
on a railway carriage, it gives even more certain results and above all
more continuous ones. In this latter case the power of suction or
exhaust is in exact relation to the dimensions of the apparatus and
the speed of the train or ship. Substituted on board ship, in lieu of
wind sails which have the serious defect of driving the stinking and
mephitic vapors from the hold through every part of the ship, the
"aerospire" carries them directly away, the pure outer atmosphere
immediately taking their place. Two apparatuses of 12 inches in diameter

page_text: will more thoroughly ventilate and purify a ship than 7 or 8 ordinary
wind sails. By fitting to the conical tube at the point A (Fig. 13) a
pipe directing into the cone without loss a current of air from any
kind of blast engine a suction power is obtained sufficiently great not
only to raise immense volumes of gas by the vertical tube, but also
heavier bodies, such as water, grease, wood, and even metals. The
breath of a man will suffice to raise in a half-inch tube leaden balls
of a diameter nearly equal to that of the tube itself. By the aid of
a not very powerful blast mines of any depth may be ventilated and
constantly freed from dangerous gases at a small cost, because a blast
apparatus worked by an engine of 2-horse power will by the aid of the
"aerospire" produce a ventilation greater than that of other machines
of 70 or 80 horse power.
'
This "aerospire" may also be usefully employed in cleaning seeds
by freeing them from dust and dirt. For this purpose the apparatus
is provided with a blast pipe A, B, (Fig. 13) so that the vertical tube
A, C, draws the seeds to be purified from the spot M, where they are
deposited, raising them together with the foreign bodies and ejecting
them on to the metal table D, E, F, which permits the descent of the
dirt while retaining the seeds which afterwards fall into another com-
partment N entirely cleaned. The conical tube composing the apparatus
may be replaced by a cylindrical conduit when worked by a blast.
This tube C, D, Fig. 12, should have an opening about equal to half
that of the horizontal tube, be fitted through the part A, B, (otherwise
entirely closed), and have its opening D level with the axis of the
vertical tube. This arrangement while more convenient in some cases
has nevertheless the defect of not giving to the apparatus the power
obtained with equal force by the conical tube.

page_text: the two tubes; F, G, conical suction tube; E, lower tube penetrating
into the tube C, D, carrying the pivot H and continued by tube X.
Fig. 3 "aerospire" with vertical tube. A, B, tube forming con-
tinuation to the chimney or other pipe; F, G, curved conical tube
occupying the centre; H, pivot.
Fig. 4, modification in which the conical tube is replaced by a plate
attached to the sides.
Fig. 5
aerospire" possessing great power by reason of the great
size of the suction or exhaust chamber and of the cone which it
encloses.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 show "acrospires" reduced to 16th their
natural size and bearing ciphers giving the dimensions of all the parts
composing them.
Fig. 11 "aerospire" with curved upper tube.
Fig. 12"
aerospire" in which the conical tube is replaced by a
cylindrical tube C, D, penetrating by the centre of the tube closed
at A, B.
Fig. 13" aerospire" arranged for cleaning seed. A, B, blast pipe
fitted to the "aerospire;" A, C, vertical tube where the suction is
established; D, E, F, wire gauze; M, compartment with mixed seed;
N, receptacle for cleansed seed.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Sixth day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.