IMPROVEMENTS IN OIL Mills
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Ross Walker, of Perseverance Ironworks, Leeds,
in the County of York, Engineer, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN OIL
Mills"
"
Sealed the 29th April 1879, and dated the 4th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Ross Walker at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th November 1878.
EDWARD ROSS WALKER, of Perseverance Ironworks, Leeds, in the County of
York, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OIL MILLS."
This Invention has for its object the improvement in the action of machines used
in oil mills. One part of this Invention is a continuation and extension of those
Letters Patent numbered 832, A.D. 1878, having the same title as this Invention,
and which were granted to me on March 1st, 1878. A second accumulator of some-
what similar construction to the one therein described is applied to give the final
pressure to the seeds or fruit or other substances contained in the presses. Whereas
hitherto pumps of small diameters and capable of giving a very great pressure have
been used for the purpose, and whereas one or two pumps have been requisite for
every press or set of presses, and whereas the diminutive areas of the safety valves
and the very great pressure upon them renders them very liable to get out of order,
and lead to the rupture of the presses, this part of the Invention consists in pro-
viding a high pressure accumulator in addition to the one specified under the said
Letters Patent, No. 832, A.D. 1878. This accumulator has a ram about one-eighth
part the effective area of the low pressure accumulator, and has its proportions
arranged to give a force as great as two or three tons per square inch, so as to
squeeze out the whole of the oil capable of being extracted from the seeds or other
substances. To prevent the rupture of the bags or other parts of the presses which
might arise from the sudden application of such an intense pressure, a suitable
valve or valves are inserted having throttling pieces enclosed, which can be regulated
Prina A1

page_text: by the superintendent of the mill, and which control the rate of admission of the
fluid medium to the presses, and renders their action independent of the attendant
workman. Thus the number and parts of the small or high pressure pumps and
their diminutive valves are much reduced, the pressure on each press and the rate
of admission of pressure is made uniform throughout the mill and cannot be in-
creased by a careless workman, and the consequent liability to rupture is thereby
considerably reduced. The action of the apparatus is as follows:-When the press
is fitted with the seeds or other substances, the Tam of the press is rapidly-run-up
by the pressure from-the first accumulator to the point where a gradual advance of
the ram is desirable. At this point the valve of the second accumulator is opened,
and by the apparatus a slow but very strong force is applied of any required inten-
sity, and this is continued until all the available oil or juice is expressed from the
substances operated upon. Another part of the Invention consists in so constructing
the seed kettle for heating the seed and the moulding machine, which is employed
to reduce the bulk of the bags of meal or pulped fruit before placing them in the
-press, -that-the-receptacle-or frame-or tray-into which-the-meal- is placed-is-itself-
passed under the bottom of the seed kettle and receives the meal or material direct
from the kettle instead of as hitherto having the meal placed in an intermediate
receptacle, and afterwards emptying it into the frame or tray. The improvement
is more particularly applicable to those kettles where steam is admitted direct to
the material, and where it is desirable to operate upon the meal when it is uniformly
saturated with heat and moisture, in order that the utmost practicable amount of oil
or juice may be extracted from it. The kettle has its under side perforated with
an aperture of much enlarged area, and has the bottom truly surfaced. The mould
frame has its upper surface made smooth in like manner, so that it may be made to
slide under the kettle by mechanical appliances until the frame be directly under
the aperture in the kettle and receives the meal from it, and then be withdrawn by
mechanical means and another frame substituted, or the same frame substituted
after a short interval. When the frame holding the hot meal is withdrawn from
under the kettle it is compressed by cams, levers, or hydraulic pressure, so as to
occupy less space and be made of such dimensions as to enter the press box with
facility. By this alteration and improvement it follows that the labor of the
attendant is considerably reduced, the operation is rendered more rapid and simpler,
and the imovements not being dependent for their equality on the workman a more
uniform consistency is secured in the meal or material, and a decidedly reduced
amount of skill and exertion is required to conduct the operation than heretofore.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Ross Walker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd
May 1879.
EDWARD ROSS WALKER, of Perseverance Ironworks, Leeds, in the County of
York, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OIL MILLS.".
This Invention has for its object the improvement in the action of machinery used
in oil mills. One part of this Invention is a continuation or extension of the prin-
ciple of those Letters Patent numbered 832, and dated 1st March, A.D. 1878, and
having the same title as this Invention. A second accumulator, of somewhat similar
construction to the one there described, and having peculiar apparatus attached
thereto, is applied to give the final pressure to the seeds, or fruit, or other similar
substances contained in the presses.
Whereas hitherto pumps of small dimensions and capable of giving a very
great pressure have been used for the purpose of giving the final pressure, and
whereas one or two pumps have been requisite for every set of presses, and the
diminutive areas of the safety valves and other parts of these pumps have
rendered them very liable to get out of order and lead to the rupture of the.
presses, this part of the Invention consists in providing a high pressure accumu-
lator with other peculiar apparatus attached, in addition to the one specified
in the Letters Patent No. 832, A.D. 1878, in order to reduce the number and parts
of these pumps, and for other purposes. The accumulator has a ram about one
cighth or one tenth part of the effective area of the low pressure accumulator, and
has its proportions arranged to produce a force or pressure as great as two or three
tons per square inch, or any other pressure considered desirable in squeezing out the
whole of the oil or juice capable of being extracted from the seeds or other oily or
juicy substances. To control the rate of the flow of the oil or other fluid medium, by
which the pressure is given to the presses, and to prevent the rupture of the bags
or other parts of the presses which might arise from the too sudden application of
such an intense pressure, suitable valves are constructed and arranged with
throttling pieces enclosed or in connection with them. These throttling pieces can
be regulated in size by the superintendent of the mill so as to control the rate of
admission of the fluid medium to the presses, and thus render the action indepen-
dent of the attendant workman. The extreme pressure which can be put upon the
presses is also controlled by the amount of weight applied to the accumulator ram.
In the event of the safety. valves connected with the pumps getting out of order
the accumulator ram is free to rise and allow the oil or other fluid medium to escape
from the accumulator cylinder. This gives increased security from over pressure,
and almost precludes the possibility of any excess of pressure being attained beyond
that desired. By this combination the number and parts of the small or high
pressure pumps and the diminutive valves are much reduced, the pressure on every
press is made uniform, and the rate of admission is put under control, and these
important functions of the machinery cannot easily be tampered with by a careless
workman. The liability to rupture, the wear and tear of the apparatus and its
expense, are thereby considerably reduced. The action of the apparatus is as
follows: As soon as any press is filled with the seeds or other substances the valve
connected with the low pressure accumulator is opened, and the ram of the press is
rapidly run out by the low pressure accumulator to the point where a slower and
more gradual advance of the ram is desirable. At this point the valve connected
with the high pressure accumulator is opened, and the fluid medium having to pass
through the regulator or throttling piece, a gradual but very strong force is applied
of any required intensity, and this is continued until all the available oil or juice is
expressed from the substances operated upon. In order that this part of my
Invention and the method of carrying it out may be clearly understood and
explained, a Sheet of Drawings is hereto attached. Corresponding parts have
similar letters of reference. Figures 1 and 2 are an elevation and plan of the whole
apparatus in connection with two sets of presses; Figure 3 is an elevation partly in

page_text: section, Figure 4 an end view, Figure 5 a plan partly in section, and Figure 6 an
end view partly in section of the valve boxes for working the presses; Figures 7
and 8 are plans and sections to a larger scale of the regulators or throttling pieces.
-A, -A, -are-two-clusters-of-presses;-B-is-the-cistern-acting-as-a-support for the large
or low pressure pump C and the small or high pressure pump D; E is the low
pressure accumulator; F is the high pressure accumulator; G, G, are the valve boxes
for controlling or actuating the presses; H, H, are the tubes conveying the fluid
medium to and from the presses; I, I, are the tubes connecting the low pressure
accumulator with the valve boxes G, G; J, J, are the tubes connecting the high
pressure accumulator with the valve boxes G, G; K, K, are valves for preventing any
fluid from passing through the valve boxes G, G, towards the low pressure accumu-
lator and disconnecting the same from a range of presses; L, L, are valves
for disconnecting the high pressure accumulator from a range of presses; M, M, are
the return pipes from the presses passing through the valve boxes G, G, and into the
pump cistern B; N is the return pipe from the second range of presses into the
pump cistern; O and P are the heavy weight boxes of the two accumulators. The
pumps C and D are in constant motion, and are fitted with safety valves as usual.
The pump C forces into the cylinder of the accumulator E, and the pump D forces
into the cylinder of the high pressure accummlator F, and thus raise the weight
boxes O and P. Suitable levers and rods or chains are attached and lift up the
safety valve levers of the pumps when the weight boxes O and P are at their full
height. The liquid medium then returns into the pump cistern B until the safety
valves are closed by the descent of the weight boxes. The weight boxes may be
connected with the suction valves of the pumps if preferred. The valves K. and L
usually remain free to open towards the valve boxes G, but can close so as to
prevent the fluid from returning towards the accummulators. When a press is set
to work, a valve in the box G connected with the pipe I is opened, and the fluid
rushes through them and the pipe H into the press until the oil or juice begins to
How, and the material offers a resistance equal to the pressure of the accumulator
or thereabout. At this point a valve in the box G, forming a connection with the
pipe J, is opened. The valve K and the one in the box G connected with the
pipe I then close of themselves (as will be explained hereafter in connection with
the Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6) and the fluid medium, under the intense pressure of the
accumulator F, passes through the valve boxes L and G and the pipe H into the
press until all the oil is extracted. When this operation is considered to be com-
plete the valves in the box G connected with the accumulators are shut, and one
forming a connection between the presses and the return pipe M or N is opened,
and the press ram descends by its own weight so as to be ready for another portion
of seed or material to be placed in the press. Two blocks of presses are shown in
the Drawing; one only may be used, or there may be three or more blocks. The
pipes I and J and N may be extended so as to connect them all to the pumps
C and D and to the accumulators. The pumps may be enlarged or their number
increased to suit the number of presses; or two or more sets of pumps may be
used for a large nill. Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 show the junctions or valve boxes G, G.
Figure 3 is partly a section through a line in the centre of tubes b, b, in the
Figure 5. Figure 5 is partly a section through a line in the centre of the plugs e, e,
in Figures 3, 4, and 6; Figure 6 is partly a section through a line in the centre of
a plug e and tube c of Figure 5; a, a, are the tubes from the low pressure accumu-
lator; b, b, are the tubes from the high pressure accumulator; c, c, are the tubes
connecting the valve boxes to the presses, and corresponding with the tubes H, in
Figures 1 and 2; d, d, are the tubes connecting the valve boxes with the cistern of
the pump, corresponding to the tubes M. or N, in Figures 1 and 2; e, e, are screw
plugs for gaining access to the throttling pieces f,f; g, g, h, h, are the spindles for
opening and closing the valves; i is a valve connecting the low pressure accumu-
lator with a press; k is a valve connecting the high pressure accumulator with a a
press. In setting a press to work the spindle g is turned; the fluid medium passes
through the tube a, and lifts the valve. i, Figure 6, and then enters the press

page_text: through the tube c; the spindle is then turned, allowing the valve to open from
the high pressure accumulator. The liquid medium passes through the tube b and
the valve, and finding its way through an opening shown between / and e,
passes through the regulator or throttling piece f, past the valve i into the press
through the tube c. The valve being detached from the spindle g falls and
closes the passage between a and c, when the superior pressure from the tube b
reaches the valve i and thus prevents the fluid medium from finding its way
from the high pressure to the low pressure accumulator. By examining the
Figures it will be seen that the tubes a and b pass completely through the valve
box and connect the pumps and accumulators with every valve in it; also that
there is a pair of spindles g and h for every press. Each press is rendered entirely
distinct from all the others, and the action of either accumulator proceeds
uninterruptedly and independently in each and every press in the range;
consequently, the disadvantage experienced hitherto of a press ceasing to
receive the liquid medium from the pumps until a second press set in
motion afterwards has attained a pressure equal to the former is obviated.
Every press connected with the accumulators continues its action so long as
the pumps retain the weight boxes in suspension on their respective rams.
Figure 7 is an enlarged section of the regulators or throttling pieces. They are
made of any suitable hard substance, by preference of steel. A square part is
formed at one end to receive a key, by which they may be screwed into their places
or withdrawn through the plug holes e, e. There is a small hole through the
regulator, and all the fluid medium having to pass through this from the high
pressure accumulator it is evident that its velocity may be restrained as desired.
It is found that for general use the hole may be 0.03 or about 3 inch in diameter.
If the regulator be made of steel it may be wrought and formed when soft, and
afterwards hardened, so as to resist the cutting or abrading action of the fluid
medium under such intense pressure. Figure 8 shows a throttling piece with a
loose button, through which the small hole passes. This button may be made of
steel, porcelain, corundum, or any other hard substance, and the outer portion of
iron or brass or any convenient material. If the throttling piece or button be made
of steel, in the event of the hole wearing larger or requiring to be made smaller,
this may be readily accomplished by changing the plug or button, or by softening'
it and hammering the metal round the hole and afterwards hardening it again; or
minute plugs may be put into the small holes to partially close them. By this arrange-
ment it will be seen that the velocity of the current can be controlled to suit the
substance operated upon in the press, and that the valves, however widely opened,
will not allow any greater velocity. The seats and faces of the valves are thus
free from unnecessary wear, and preserve their form unaltered for a great length
of time. Another part of this Invention consists in so constructing the seed kettle
for heating the seed, and the moulding machine which is employed to reduce the
bulk of the bags of meal, or pulped fruit, or other material before placing them in
the press, that the receptacle or mould frame and the tray into which the meal is
placed are themselves passed under the bottom of the seed kettle and receive the
hot meal direct from the kettle. The improvement is more particularly applicable
to those kettles where steam is admitted direct to the material, and where it is
desirable that all the meal or material drawn out of them may be uniformly
moistened and heated in order to extract the utmost possible proportion of oil from
it. Hitherto it has been the practice to draw out the meal from the kettle through
an aperture of comparatively small area, and therefore from one part only of the
kettle, and the meal has been in consequence not evenly "cooked." By this
Invention the meal is drawn from the lowest stratum of the kettle and from a
considerable portion of the area after it has been thoroughly and uniformly heated
and steamed, and in the best condition for parting with the oil when in the press."
It has been usual to allow the meal to fall into an intermediate receptacle for the
purpose of being conveyed by the attendant into the mould frame and tray. By
this Invention all intermediate receptacles and the workman attending thereto are

page_text: dispensed with, and a reduction of expense is the result. The bottom of the kettle
has an aperture about the same size as the mould frame and the tray which receives
the hot meal, and the bottom of the kettle and upper surface of the mould frame
are made smooth and true so that they may slide evenly against each other and
prevent any escape of meal except into the mould frame and tray. There may-be-
more than one mould_frame_and tray, and the direction of motion and method of
_moving the same may be varied, as will hereafter be explained. When the mould
-frame-is-full of meal and is withdrawn from under the kettle it is compressed by
cams or levers or hydraulic pressure, or by other means so as to occupy less space
-and-to enter the press box with facility. In order that this second part of my
Invention and the method of carrying it into effect may be clearly understood and
_explained, a second and third Sheet of Drawings are hereunto attached. Figure 9
is a sectional elevation, Figure 10 is a front elevation, and Figure 11 is a-plan of one
convenient method of application. A is the steam kettle with its steam case shown
in section B is an upright shaft for driving the stirrers and steaming pipes; these
are not shown as they form no part of the Invention; C is the mould fraine attached
to the piston rod of the cylinder I, and retained by suitable slides in contact with the
bottom of the kettle; D is the tray; E is the aperture in the bottom of the kettle
about the same area as the mould frame and tray; F is the compressor with its
actuating cylinder G; H is a table for supporting the tray D while under pressure; I
is a small cylinder for drawing the mould frame under the kettle and returning it
when full of meal to a point under the compressor; J is a table upon which the
tray is first placed to receive the bag or wrapper; K, K, are tables on to which the
trays are passed after being pressed; L is a valve chest containing valves to control
the liquid actuating the moving parts; M is a lever to set the machine in motion;
N is the pressure tube; O, the return tube for the liquid which actuates the moving
parts; P, P, are weights to act on the valves in the box L. The action of the
machine, shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, is as follows:-A tray D having been
placed on the table J the bas is spread upon the tray, as shown in Figure 10. The
tray with the bag on it is slipped under the mould frame C, as shown in Figure 9.
The workman then presses down the lever M. This moves one of the valves in
the box L, and at the same time raises one of the weights P.
The valve opens a
connection between the pressure tube N from the low pressure accumulator and the
cylinder I, and the piston therein is impelled carrying with it the mould frame C
under the kettle. One portion of the mould frame C is a flat plate closing the
aperture E in the bottom of the kettle and retained in close contact with it by
suitable slides. The hollow part of the mould frame C is drawn quickly under the
kettle, and the meal drops through the aperture E and fills the tray D and the
mould frame C; and since these are very shallow, it is clear that only the meal close
to the bottom of the kettle can find its way into them. While the mould frame
and tray are being filled, the weight P raised by the workman is descending to its
former position, and as it moves it causes the valve connected thereto to close the
passage for the pressure to the front of the cylinder I and open it to the back of the
cylinder. The rate of descent of the weight P is controlled by a small cylinder
with adjustable openings and a valve, and well known as a "cataract.'
pressure through the tube to the back of the cylinder returns mould frame C
with the tray D full of meal to its former position under the presser F. While the
mould frame is moving, a horn or finger projecting from the mould frame Û catches
a lever connected with a second valve in the box Land and raises a second weight P
so as to allow the second valve to open and form a connection between the presser
cylinder G and the pressure tube N. The second valve is prevented from opening
instantly by a rod, the end of which presses against and remains in contact with a
bar attached to the mould frame C. In this bar is a hole. When the mould frame
C arrives exactly under the presser F the position of the hole coincides with the
rod and it slips into the hole. The second valve is thereby allowed to open and the
pressure causes the piston in the cylinder G to descend and press the loose meal in
the mould frame C into the tray D. The second weight P has also a "cataract"
The

page_text: connected with it which controls its rate of descent. After a slight interval the
descent of the second weight P returns the second valve in the box L to its former
position, and the pressure raises the piston of the cylinder G and with it the presser
F. By this time the workman is ready to draw out the tray D full of compressed
meal on to the table J. The ends of the bag or wrapper are then folded over the
compressed meal, and the tray is passed on to either of the tables K. Another
empty tray is then placed on the table J and the bag spread over it. This is slipped
under the mould frame C. The lever M is pressed down by the attendant, and the
machine is set in motion for another operation. While this proceeds the tray full
of meal is placed in the press and an empty tray is brought back, and so on until
the press is full. Figures 12 and 13 are a plan and elevation in outline, showing
the machines arranged somewhat differently. The mould frame C has two apertures
for meal in it. There are two pressers F, F, one at either side of the kettle. The
mould frame C together with the tables supporting the trays are moved on a slide
alternately from side to side, so as to bring the apertures in the frame first under
one presser and then under the other. The tray D is inserted and with-
drawn in a similar manner to that before described, as will be readily understood:
The difference between the machine shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, and that shown in
Figures 12 and 13 is that the mould frame is moved end wise instead of breadth wise.
This machine may be made with only one presser and a single mould frame moved
end wise. Figure 14 is a plan in outline of a machine similar to Figures 9, 10, and
11, but having two holes or apertures E, E, in the kettle, and two compressors
instead of one. Figure 15 is a section of the bottom part of a kettle, showing
a thin slide which I sometimes insert between the mould frame C and the
aperture E in the kettle. I move the slide in a similar manner to the other parts
of the apparatus. Figures 10, 17, 18, show another method of carrying out my
Invention. The letters of reference from A to O correspond to those in Figures 9,
10, and 11. Q is a circular frame, carrying the tables H, H, and fastened to the
circular mould frame C by the centre pillar and other connecting bolts; R is a
strong upright shaft on which the machinery revolves; S is a strong ratchet wheel
with four teeth; T is a stool cast on to the foundation plate to support the table H
under the presser; U is a strong ribbed plate staying the shaft R against the kettle
and supporting the presser cylinder G and other parts; V is a lever for actuating
the valve of cylinder I; W, a lever for actuating the valve of cylinder G; X, X, are
notches in the edge of the mould frame C. There are four recesses in the mould
frame, four trays, and four tables under them. The motion of the machine is circular.
Let it be supposed that a tray D full of compressed meal is under the mould frame
C, near the table K, that a second tray full of loose meal is under the presser F, and
that a third tray in the act of being filled is under the aperture E in the kettle
A, A. The action of the machine is as follows:-An empty tray D is brought from
the press by the workınan and placed on the table J. The bag is spread upon the
tray and it is passed under the mould frame C. The tray of compressed meal is
then drawn out from under the mould frame C on to the table K. The lever Mis
next lifted up by the workman. The end of the lever M has a bolt attached to it
which passes into the notch X in the edge of the mould frame C. This prevents
the lever M from being lifted unless the mould frame C is directly under the presser
F. The lever M moves a valve in the box L on the cylinder G, and causes the
piston in it with the presser F to descend and compress the meal into the tray D.
The descent of the presser moves the lever V, supported on a cross bar attached to
the presser F, which actuates a valve in the box L of the cylinder I, and causes the
piston in that cylinder to recede from the centre of the machine. The piston rod of
tho cylinder I has links and attachments connecting it with the ratchet wheel S.
These draw back the pawl on the ratchet wheel S into the next notch. A projec-
tion on one of the links of the cylinder I strikes the lever W and returns the valve
in the box L of the cylinder G to its former position. This causes the presser F to
ascend out of the mould frame C. The presser carries up the lever V and moves
the valve of the cylinder I to its former position. This causes the piston to advance

page_text: towards the centre of the machine and by means of the ratchet S turns both the
shaft R and the table Q with the circular mould frame C and the four trays D and
the tables H, H, a quarter of a revolution. The empty tray is carried under the
kettle, the one just filled is carried under the presser, the one pressed is turned to
-the-table-K-and-the-machine-is-ready for another-empty tray-to-be-placed-on-J
and the operation repeated. Figure 19 shows a plan in outline of a circular
machine similar to Figures 16, 17, 18, but only having three openings in the mould
frame C instead of four. The operation of this machine is similar to that in Figures
16, 17, 18, but the full tray has to be drawn on to the table J and removed there-
from before the empty tray can be placed under the mould frame C. In come cases
I actuate the moulding machines by belts or wheels from the kettle shaft or other
driving shaft, and by suitable cams, eccentrics, and levers produce similar motions to
those described. _ Occasionally I move the parts by levers or other appliances
worked by the attendant. The machines may be used for other purposes, as, for
instance, the accumulators and pressers may extract the oil from tallow in making
stearine in the manner described. Having now particularly described some methods
of carrying out my Invention, I desire it to be understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details described, as they may be varied without departing
from the principle thereof, but what I claim as novel and as my Invention is,―
First. The use of a high pressure accumulator in conjunction with regulators or
throttling pieces for giving the final pressure to materials in presses as described.
Second. The arrangement of valve boxes containing valves and throttling pieces, as
described. Third. The method of constructing kettles and moulding machines by
making the apertures in the kettles of greatly enlarged area, and placing the mould
frame and meal tray directly under them, and as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Ross Walker, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this 30th day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.