IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR, AND IN THE MEANS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1876

page_text: A
LETTERS PATENT to William Renny Watson, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR, AND IN THE MEANS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
communication from abroad by David McColley Weston, of Boston, in the
State of Massachusetts one of the United States of America.
Sealed the 21st December 1876, and dated the 21st September 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Renny Watson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st September 1876.
WILLIAM RENNY WATSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR, AND IN THE MEANS
EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
This Invention, which relates to improvements in the manufacture of sugar, has
for its object to effect the speedy removal of crystallized sugar from the vacuum
pan, a tank, or other vessel to the mixer or receiver from which the centrifugal
machine may be fed, thereby saving much labour, as compared with the existing
modes of effecting this operation.
The object of this Invention may be carried out under two methods, that is to
say, by the use either of a vacuum or by pressure. The vacuum pan, tank, or
other vessel is for the purposes of this Invention connected with the mixer or receiver
by pipes provided with one or more valves for opening or closing the communi-
cation between them.
When operated by means of a vacuum such vacuum is formed in the mixer or
receiver by any of the well-known means for producing a vacuum, such as an
exhausting pump or steam jet; and when the communication between the vacuum
pan, tank, or other vessel and the mixer or receiver is open the crystallized sugar
rises from the vacuum pan, tank, or other vessel into the mixer or receiver.
When operated by means of pressure, the transference of the crystallized sugar is
effected by admitting compressed air, steam, or other innocuous gas or fluid into the
upper part of the vacuum pan, tank, or vessel, this having the effect of forcing the
crystallized sugar into the mixer or receiver.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Renny Watson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
January 1877.
WILLIAM RENNY WATSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR, AND IN THE MEANS
EMPLOYED THEREFOR." A communication from abroad by David McColley Weston,
of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, United States of America.
This Invention, which relates to improvements in the manufacture of sugar, has
for its object to effect the speedy removal of crystallized sugar from the vacuum
pan, or from a tank or other vessel to the mixer or receiver from which the centri-
fugal machine or machines is or are fed, thereby saving much labour as compared
with the existing modes of effecting this operation.
The object of this Invention may be carried out either by the use of a vacuum or
pressure.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I now proceed
more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to
the annexed Sheet of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say-
On the Sheet of Drawings hereunto appended Figure 1 is a side elevation, and
Figure 2 a plan of the sugar making or drying apparatus as arranged in accordance
with the said Invention.
As shewn by these Figures the vacuum pan A, which is provided with an
ordinary safe condenser, and the other usual accessories of that apparatus is for the
purposes of this Invention connected to the mixer C by a pipe D leading from the
lower part of the vacuum pan to the upper part of the mixer. In the pipe Da
valve E is placed. The vacuum pan A is exhausted by a pumping apparatus con-
sisting of a steam engine F and vacuum pump G communicating with the pan A
by the pipe H, and with the mixer C by the pipe I, wherein a valve J is placed to
close communication between the mixer and the pump when required. The mixer C,
which is a closed vessel constructed either as shewn on the Drawings or in any
other suitable form, is also for the purpose of cleaning or steaming it out when
required, connected by the branch with the steam pipe supplying the engine or
with other source of steam supply, and the said mixer is provided with a man-
hole K, and with a vertical shaft or spindle a carrying a series of stirrers, which
keep the contents in motion. The spindle a is driven by a bevil wheel b fixed on
its upper end, and geared with a pinion c secured on one end of a horizontal shaft d
carried in bearings on the top of the mixer. A spur wheel e, fixed on the opposite
end of the shaft d, gears with a pinion f secured on a shaft h whereon a pulley i is
also fixed, as shown, the shaft h being driven by a belt from a shaft k, which is
rotated by the engine F through the belt l. The mixer C is supported on columns,
and from the under side of it are suspended the centrifugal machines M, into which
the sugar to be dried is charged from the mixer on opening the valve N. The
centrifugal machines are driven from the shaft k by the belts O.
Besides connecting the mixer C with a vacuum pan A, as herein-before described,
it is also connected by a pipe P with a tank Q, into which cold or green sugar is
passed by the pug mill R, also driven from the shaft k by the belt m and spur
gearing n. One end of the pipe P rests on a ring of india-rubber or other elastic
jointing material fixed in the bottom of a small recess or well S at the lower part of
the tank Q, which ring serves to close the orifice air tight. The other end of the
pipe P is jointed to the upper end of the mixer C by means of a thick india-rubber
or equivalent ring, the elasticity of which allows of the pipe being lifted high
enough to give a sufficient opening at its lower end when it is desired to charge the
mixer from the tank. The raising and lowering of the pipe P is effected by the
hand wheel and screw t.

page_text: When operating the improved sugar making or drying apparatus, herein-before
described, by means of a vacuum, such vacuum is formed in the mixer C by the
exhausting action of the pump G, and communication being established between the
mixer and the vacuum pan A, or between the mixer and the tank Q, the sugar is
drawn from either of these vessels into the mixer.
When the apparatus is operated by means of pressure compressed air, steam, or
other innocuous gas or fluid is admitted by pipes arranged for that purpose into the
upper part of the vacuum pan A, or of the tank Q, which in this case is fitted with
an air-tight cover, and this has the effect of forcing the sugar into the mixer or
receiver C, the air-cock Y being opened during the time of ingress of the sugar, so
as to allow the displaced air to escape.
•
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said Inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondant, I would observe in
conclusion, that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as
the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,
the improved arrangement of sugar making or drying apparatus, herein-before
described and shewn on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, wherein by means of
a vacuum made in the mixer or receiver C constructed either as shewn (or in other-
wise suitable form) or of pressure made in the vacuum pan A, or in the tank Q, the
transference of the sugar from either the vacuum pan A or the tank Q is quickly
and economically effected, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Renny Watson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of December, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.
WILLIAM RENNY WATSON. (L.S.)