Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Drying Cereals and other Materials.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1893
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Drying Cereals and
other Materials.
I, WILLIAM VAN VLECK LIDGERWOOD, of 1 Albert Hall Mansions, in the
County of London, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :―
My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for drying cereals and other
materials.
The principal object of my said invention is to construct improved means for
preventing the passage of air or of other gas or vapour through the space between
a chamber and the wall which encircles the same.
Another object of my said invention is to construct simple and effective devices
for securing the flanges of rotary drying floors in place at the circumference
thereof.
The said improvements are applicable with particular advantage to rotary-
drying-floors of the kind described in the Specification of prior Letters Patent
No. 9395 of A.D. 1892 granted to me.
In order that my said invention may be clearly understood I will now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein
Figure 1 is a plan of portion of a circular rotary drying-floor and of the adjoining
wall, with my improvements applied thereto.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the floor from the exterior.
Figure 3 is a section through the floor and wall on the line X X of Figure 1.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is a perforated rotatable floor, upon which cereals or other materials are
placed for subjection to a current of air passed from below through the perforations
of the floor. The outer circumference of the floor is supported by a circular
casting B upon which the driving-rack is formed, and to which a series of strips C
are bolted at intervals. C¹ C¹ are packing-pieces so placed between the strips C
and the casting B that a space is left between the upper ends of the said strips and
the casting. D is a cylindrical wall or flange, strengthened by angle-irons D', and
the lower edge of which is received in the space between the strips and the casting,
in such a manner that the former will retain it securely in position around the edge
of the floor A. E is the outer wall, encircling the drying-floor. F is a plate
secured upon the top of the wall. G G are segmental pieces firmly secured on the
upper side of the plate F, near the outer circumference thereof. GG are arms
secured upon the upper side of the segmental pieces G, from which latter they
project over the plate F, towards the casting B. I sometimes provide a covering
board to cover the segments G and springs J. Said board projects like the arms G¹
over movable segments I hereinafter described. H H are blocks secured upon the
plate F for a purpose hereinafter specified.
I I are movable segments placed upon the plate F below the arms G¹, and so
shaped as to bear upon the periphery of the casting B. The said segments I are
cut away as at I' to receive the blocks H. There is a space or clearance between
he pieces G and the blocks H and also between the pieces G and the segments I.
In the latter space springs J of hickory, metal, rubber or of other suitable material
and of any suitable shape are placed, as shown. The said springs are secured to
he pieces G and act to keep the segments I in contact with the casting B so as to
nake a sufficient joint therewith. The said segments are free to slide upon the
plate F in such a manner as to maintain under the action of the springs J a joint
with the circular casting B during its rotation despite any eccentricity thereof, or

page_text: departure from the circular form. The clearances aforesaid are provided to permit
of such sliding movement. The blocks H prevent end wise movement of the
segments I.
If desired a groove may be provided upon the periphery of the casting B so that
the
segments I may enter therein instead of resting against the outer periphery of
the said casting.
The said segments will operate in like manner to maintain a joint with the
periphery of a non-rotating floor or chamber in which alterations of form, for
which the segments I compensate, result from variations of temperature.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The combination with a drying-chamber, of spring-controlled segments for
closing the space between the said chamber and a wall encircling the same,
substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
2. For closing the space between a rotatable drying chamber and a wall
encircling the same, the devices constructed substantially as herein before described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, and operating as specified.
3. The combination, with the rotary floor, of strips for receiving the wall or
flange of the said floor, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this th 1
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.