IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS OR CHAMBERS FOR BURNING AND DRYING BRICKS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Whitwell, of Thornaby Iron Works, Stockton-on-
Tees, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS OR CHAMBERS FOR
BURNING AND DRYING BRICKS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 18th July 1876, and dated the 28th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Whitwell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th February 1876.
THOMAS WHITWELL, of Thornaby Iron Works, Stockton-on-Tees.
MENTS IN KILNS OR CHAMBERS FOR BURNING AND DRYING BRICKS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
"IMPROVE-
This Invention has for its object improvements in kilns or chambers for burning
and drying bricks, and for other purposes.
In making bricks I employ long kilns or chambers, so arranged that the bricks
are caused to enter the cool end of the kiln or chamber, and to advance forward to
the hot end of the same at a suitable speed.
The bricks are in the green or raw state loaded in an open manner on a wagon.
The top of the wagon is covered to a suitable thickness by any good non-conducting
material, such as slabs of fire-brick, in order to prevent the red heat at which the
bricks are burned from penetrating to and damaging the ironwork of the wagon.
The wagon is made of non-combustible material, by preference of iron, and in
size rather less in width than the chamber.
In the walls of the chamber are built iron plates so formed as to contain dry
sand. Attached to the under side of the top of the wagon is a flange projecting
into the sand, so that the whole may form a lute joint more or less air-tight.
The chamber or kiln is constructed with openings at either end for the purpose
of introducing therein or taking therefrom the wagons of bricks, and such openings
are closed by doors in any convenient manner, and it is also constructed by pre-
ference on an inclination so as to facilitate the passage of the wagons of bricks
through the same towards the hot end.. It is further provided at the hot end with
a fire-grate, whereby a flame produced by the combustion of fuel may be caused to
pass over and through the bricks presented to its influence.
At the cold end of the chamber or kiln is a chimney of proper dimensions for the
purpose of carrying off from the kiln or chamber the products of combustion and
the vapour caused by the drying of the bricks.

page_text: .Cold air is introduced to the kiln or chamber beneath the wagons, thus keeping
them cool and preventing any damage to their frames or platforms from the heat;
at the same time the wagons are arranged with spaces through their. tops and
between them, so that the cold air is drawn between and through the top platform
or frame of the wagon, thereby carrying off to the chimney the vapour caused by
the heat from the hot end, being absorbed by the green or raw bricks successively
exposed to its influence. Suitable openings are also formed in the kiln or chamber
for the purpose of providing air for the combustion of the flame or gas for the
burning of the bricks, also for the introduction of small coal or any other suitable
combustible material amongst the bricks to aid in the better burning of the same.
By the above improvements the kiln is charged at regular intervals with fresh
wagons of bricks without any cost in handling the bricks, the result being a very
great economy in the cost of the bricks. The green or raw bricks as they are
exposed to the action of the currents of heat and fresh air rapidly lose their
moisture, which is instantly carried off by the chimney, and the bricks thus dried
gradually absorb heat proceeding from the hot end of the kiln. At this point below
the wagons I insert through the walls of the kiln a sliding damper, so as to cut off*
all cold air from below the wagons from cooling or interfering with the perfect
burning of the bricks at the hot end. The bricks then become red hot, and after
remaining a suitable time in the kiln are discharged by doors or openings at the
hot end.
I also exhaust the air, vapour, and products of combustion from the kiln or
chamber by means of a jet, fan, or exhauster; I can also place chimneys or fires at
any other part of the kiln or chamber.
I can also use the fire-grates or sources of combustion at the hot end of the kiln
or chamber under pressure for the purpose of obtaining a long neutral flame and
perfect combustion of the fuel used.
This improved system is applicable to tiles, crucibles, lamps, and every description
of the manufacture or preparation of argillaceous or plastic material, also to any
manufacture to which it may be applicable. It will thus be seen that I dry the
bricks or materials by large volumes of fresh air brought under the wagons and
caused to play over, through, and among the bricks or materials placed on wagons
in the tunnel.
I preserve the wagons by the currents of fresh air and protect them from heat
and other destructive influences.
Having dried the bricks or other materials by fresh air, as before stated, I expose
'them to currents of heat gradually accumulating in intensity, and resulting from
the burning of bricks or materials further advanced in the tunnel. I also keep up
a continuous flame resulting from the combustion of fuel on the previously dried
bricks or other materials at one or more parts of the kiln.
I use trucks or wagons protected with caps or platforms made of fire-brick or
other non-conducting material, and kept cool by the currents of air proceeding from
below to above the wagons; and I use the sand joint for the purpose of separating
the currents of heated gas and air from the currents of fresh cold air, and thereby
further protecting the ironwork of the wagons.
I use a fan, steam jet, or other power for the purpose of producing a neutral or
other flame at the hot end of the kiln, or of producing a draught at the cold end of
the kiln in lieu of a chimney if desired.
The whole results in a very large economy in labour and cost in drying and
burning bricks, tiles, or other materials by the saving of moving or handling four
times over, and secure the better and more perfect finish of the bricks or tiles, or
other materials, from their not being touched after being loaded on to the wagons
in a green or raw state till they are unloaded off the same wagons ready for market.
Also, there is entire security from all damage through bad weather unattainable in
other methods.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Whitwell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
August 1876.
THOMAS WHITWELL, of Thornaby Iron Works, Stockton-on-Tees.
"IMPROVE-
MENTS IN KILNS OR CHAMBERS FOR BURNING AND DRYING BRICKS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in kilns or chambers for burning
and drying bricks, and for other purposes.
In making bricks I employ long kilns or chambers so arranged that the bricks
are caused to enter the cool end of the kiln or chamber, and to advance forward to
the hot end of the same at a suitable speed.
The bricks are in the green or raw state laoded in an open manner on a wagon.
The top of the wagon is covered to a suitable thickness by any good non-conducting
material, such as slabs of fire-brick, in order to prevent the red heat at which the
bricks are burned from penetrating to and damaging the ironwork of the wagon.
The wagon is made of non-combustible material, by preference of iron, and in
size rather less in width than the chamber.
In the walls of the chamber are built iron plates, so formed as to contain dry
sand. Attached to the under side of the top of the wagon is a flange projecting
into the sand, so that the whole may form a lute joint more or less air-tight.
The chamber or kiln is constructed with openings at either end for the purpose
of introducing therein or taking therefrom the wagons of bricks, and such openings
are closed by doors in any convenient manner, and it is also constructed by pre-
ference on an inclination so as to facilitate the passage of the wagons of bricks
through the same towards the hot end. It is further provided at the hot end with
a fire-grate, whereby a flame produced by the combustion of fuel may be caused to
pass over and through the bricks presented to its influence.
At the cold end of the chamber or kiln is a chimney of proper dimensions for
the purpose of carrying off from the kiln or chamber the products of combustion
and the vapour caused by the drying of the bricks.
Cold air is introduced to the kiln or chamber beneath the wagons, thus keeping
them cool and preventing any damage to their frames or platforms from the heat;
at the same time the wagons are arranged with spaces through their tops and
between them, so that the cold air is drawn between and through the top platform
or frame of the wagon, thereby carrying off to the chimney the vapour caused by
the heat from the hot end, being absorbed by the green or raw bricks successively
exposed to its influence. Suitable openings are also formed in the kiln or chamber
for the purpose of providing air for the combustion of the flame or gas for the
burning of the bricks; also for the introduction of small coal or any other suitable
combustible material amongst the bricks to aid in the better burning of the same.
By the above improvements the kiln is charged at regular intervals with fresh
wagons of bricks without any cost in handling the bricks, the result being a very
great economy in the cost of the bricks. The green or raw bricks as they are
exposed to the action of the currents of heat and fresh air rapidly lose their
moisture, which is instantly carried off by the chimney, and the bricks thus dried
gradually absorb heat proceeding from the hot end of the kiln. At this point below
the wagons I insert through the walls of the kiln a sliding damper, so as to cut off
all cold air from below the wagons from cooling or interfering with the perfect
burning of the bricks at the hot end. The bricks then become red hot, and after
remaining a suitable time in the kiln are discharged by doors or openings at the
hot end.
I also exhaust the air, vapour, and products of combustion from the kiln or.
chamber by means of a jet, fan, or exhauster; I can also place chimneys or fires at
any other part of the, kiln or chamber.
I can also use the fire-grates or sources of combustion at the hot end of the kiln

page_text: manufacture to which it may be applicable.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a sectional elevation of a kiln or chamber showing a line of
wagons arranged in the same ready for drying and burning, showing also a furnace
at one end of the kiln or chamber, and a jet at the other end.
Figure 2, Sheet 1, is a vertical cross section of a kiln or chamber showing end
clevation of a wagon and arrangement for sand joint.
Figure 3, Sheet 1, is a sectional plan of a kiln or chamber showing furnace, jet,
and cooling chamber.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, is a sectional plan of hot end of kiln or chamber and cooling
chamber, showing furnace doors, moving gear, &c.
Figure 2, Sheet 2, is a transverse section through the outlet at the hot end of the
kiln or chamber, showing the arrangement for lifting the door, also a wagon G
loaded with bricks and the bogie H. underneath.
Figure 1, Sheet 3, is a plan of the cold end of the kiln or chamber, showing a
steam jet in connection with the same.
Figure 2, Sheet 3, is an elevation of the cold end of the kiln or chamber showing
the doorway, the small bogie H, &c.
In each of these Figures the same letters of reference are used to indicate the
same parts.
The kiln or chamber consists of a long tunnel or flue A. built of suitable material
and sufficiently long to contain several wagons, of bricks, and supplied at one end
with a steam jet C and at the other with a gas generator B. Openings for ingress
and egress of wagons are placed at ends or sides of kiln, and supplied with doors,
as shown on the Drawings, opening at right angles to the length of kiln.
On
The wagons G run on rails laid on an incline through whole length of kiln;
other lines of rails leading into and out of kiln run at right angles to these.
these latter rails (which are laid at a lower level than those running through kiln)
run the small bogies H, which convey the wagons G into and out of kiln when
required.
The wagons G carry a platform of refractory material e of a suitable thickness
for protecting the same from the action of the heat. Bolted to the cover plate g of
the wagons G, along the side edge of the same, are angle pieces d, as shown, for the
purpose of making a sand joint, Figure 2, Sheets 1 and 2. The sand joint is made
by the angle pieces d, bolted to the wagons as described, passing along a groove
formed by the wall of the kiln, and the vertical flange of the angular picces f
running the whole length of kiln, and built into the wall of the same, as shown on
the Drawings. Sand is placed in the groove thus formed, through which the angle
pieces pass. By the joint thus formed the wagons are entirely protected from the
action of the flame and the lower currents of air separated from the supply currents
except where required.
a
In that part of the kiln or chamber opposite to doorways plain flat iron pieces
are built into the brickwork, and project inwards the same distance as the angular
pieces f; by this means the wagons are free to be conveyed into or out of the kiln.
The joint at these parts is made with clay after the wagon is in its place every time
a wagon is moved.
A fan
The gas generator B is placed in any convenient position, but by preference as
shown on Drawings at the end of the kiln, and in a line with the same.
blast or other suitable contrivance is provided to force air in suitable quantity

page_text: through the gas generator, and also to supply air for the combustion of the gas
which is generated, and by which the flame resulting from the combustion of the
gas is forced through the bricks piled on the wagons, space being provided between
the bricks to allow the flame to pass through. Valves are provided to regulate the
admission of air, as it is important to avoid the formation of an oxydizing flame.
The heat is also drawn through by the steam jet C at the other end of the kiln, the
wagons being protected from the action of the fire as described above..
The steam jet C is placed by preference at, cold end of kiln or chamber, as shown
on the Drawing, and is employed in preference to a chimney for drawing volumes
of fresh air through the green bricks at cold end of kiln.
The air enters under the door F at the cold end, and passes along under the
wagons until it is stopped by the moveable partition at V. It also passes up
through spaces between wagons, as at s, 8, Figure 3, Sheet 1, and is drawn by the
jet through the courses of bricks, thereby thoroughly drying the same before they
are passed on to the hot end of kiln. The jet also serves to draw the heat from
those bricks being burnt at hot end of kiln among the bricks already dried, and by
this means the bricks are gradually dried, heated, and burnt.
Adjoining the hot end of the kiln, as shown on the Drawings, is the cooling
chamber K. Into this the wagons of burnt bricks are passed and allowed to cool
gradually. This chamber is made of sufficient length to contain as many wagons as
may be deemed necessary and provided with a door at cach end.
For the purpose of conveying the wagon of burnt bricks from kiln to the cooling
chamber K a chain wheel L carried on a bracket M is placed opposite to doorway at
hot end of kiln, as shown, provided with a chain fastened at each end to the frame-
work of the bogie H. By this or any convenient means the bogie H carrying the
wagon of burnt bricks is drawn out till the rails of the same come in a line with
those leading into the cooling chamber, buttresses Q being built as shown to stop
the bogic at this point.
In a line with the centre of cooling chamber K is a rack N worked by a pinion O
and running on rollers for the purpose of moving the wagon G off the bogie H into
the cooling chamber K, after which the empty bogie is run back by means of the
chain wheel to its place in the kiln to receive the next wagon of bricks.
In order to allow the wagon of bricks to be drawn out as described without any
hindrance from the next wagon butting against it a suitable locking arrangement R
is made use of.
The openings at the ends of kiln are closed by means of doors D, E, F, as shown
on the Drawings.
The door Dat hot end of kiln carries a lining of fire-brick or other suitable
substance, the inside face of which forms a line with inside face of wall of kiln in
that part of wall above the level of wagons.
This door is lifted when required by
suitable gear, as shown on Figure 2, Sheet 2.
The door E is a plain iron door directly underneath D, as shown. On the top of
this door are bolted iron pieces a, b, as shown on Figure 2, Sheet 2, one on the
inside and one on the outside of the door. The inside piece a passes close under
the angle piece d fastened to top plate of wagon, and the joint is made with clay.
The outside piece b forms a recess, into which the upper door D is lowered ; joint
made with clay.
The door E at cold end of kiln is an iron door working on hinges, the lower edge
of which is in a line with upper edge of wagons, with which it makes a joint by
means of an angle iron fastened along the lower edge of the door, one flange pro-
jecting inwards and passing under the angle piece & bolted to the wagon, Figure 2,
Sheet 3 joint made with clay. Sufficient room is thus allowed below this door for
the admission of the fresh air, which is drawn through the bricks by means of the
jet, as before described, for the purpose of drying the bricks, as well as serving to
keep the wagons quite cool. The direction in which the air thus-drawn through
and among the bricks travels is indicated by arrows on Figures 1 and 3, Sheet 1.
It will thus be seen that I dry the bricks or materials by large volumes of fresh

page_text: air brought under the wagons and caused to play over, through, and among the
bricks or materials placed on wagons in the tunnel.
I preserve the wagons by the currents of fresh air and protect them from heat
and other destructive influences.
Having dried the bricks or other materials by fresh air, as before stated, I expose
them to currents of heat gradually accumulating in intensity and resulting from the
burning of bricks or materials further advanced in the tunnel. I also keep up a
continuous flame resulting from the combustion of fuel on the previously dried
bricks or other materials at one or more parts of the kiln.
I use trucks or wagons protected with caps or platforms made of fire-brick or
other non-conducting material, and kept cool by the currents of air proceeding from
below to above the wagons, and I use the sand joint for the purpose of separating
the currents of heated gas and air from the currents of fresh cold air, and thereby
further protecting the ironwork of the wagons.
I use a fan, steam jet, or other power for the purpose of producing a neutral
or other flame at the hot end of the kiln or of producing a draught at the cold end
of the kiln in lieu of a chimney if desired. The whole results in a very large
economy in labour and cost in drying and burning bricks, tiles, or other materials
by the saving of moving or handling four times over, and secures the better and
more perfect finish of the bricks or tiles or other materials from their not being
touched after being loaded on to the wagons in a green or raw state till they are
unloaded off the same wagons ready for market; also there is entire security from
all damage through bad weather unattainable in other methods.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. The construction of kilns or chambers for burning and drying bricks and
other articles, substantially as described.
Second. The means for drying bricks and other articles by causing them to
travel through a long kiln or chamber heated at one end by the combustion of fuel
maintained by air forced in by a fan or other forcing apparatus, whilst an in draft
of large volumes of air is caused at other parts of the kiln or chamber by a steam
jet or by suction produced by other means, the air thus entering the kiln or chamber
circulating among the bricks or other articles and drying them before they reach the
more highly heated parts of the kiln or chamber, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Whitwell, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
THOMAS WHITWELL. (L.S.)