of Artificial Fuel, Bricks, and the like and in Preparing Materials for the same.
Year: 1885

page_text: of Artificial Fuel, Bricks, and the like, and in Preparing
Materials for the same.
I WILLIAM BONDFIELD WESTLAKE of 19 Northampton Place Swansea in the
county of Glamorgan Manager of Works and Contractor do hereby declare
the nature of my. invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FUEL, BRICKS AND THE LIKE AND IN
PREPARING MATERIALS FOR THE SAME " to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in machinery or apparatus for the
manufacture of artificial fuel, bricks and the like and in preparing materials for
the same.
I arrange apparatus as follows so that as many blocks or bricks can be made, at
one and the same time as may be desired.
I arrange a vertical tube of suitable diameter constructed preferably in segments
standing on a suitable base or bedplate and adapted to receive the agglomerated
fuel clay or like plastic material ready for pressing.
The lower part of the tube has a flat annulus or ring top and a conical bottom.
Through the annulus or ring top passes a vertical shaft carrying arms or stirrers to
agitate the material in the tube and direct same to the bottom and the lower end
of the shaft carries a number of arms revolving on the aforesaid conical bottom
and in front of a series of open ports which lead to a corresponding number of
pockets recesses or moulds attached or formed outside the said vertical tube.
Carried by the said tubes are à number of hydraulic cylinders fitted with rams
the ends of which form plungers to press the blocks or bricks.
I connect one ram or plunger to its neighbour by means of a chain passing over
a sheave and the chain being connected to an adjustable shackle on the tail rods of
the plungers which pass through stuffing boxes in the cylinder ends.
I
Below the aforesaid pockets I arrange a circular pressing plate containing a
corresponding number of flat topped cones and holes or spaces. The plate has an
Oscillatory motion on a casting bolted to the bottom of the vertical tube by
suitable means preferably by means of a pair of oppositely facing hydraulic
cylinders fitted with a ram moving in both, a sheave mounted on the ram having
chains passing over same and over pulleys connected to this pressing plate. I so
arrange my cylinders that their supply and exhaust ports are connected so that as
one ram advances to pull the pressing plate in one direction the pressure is taken
D

page_text: off the other ram and so the same water oil or like fluid employed to move the
rams is used over and over again. The said pressing plate is so arranged as to.
leave a space for the discharge of the pressed bricks or blocks.
When the aforesaid flat topped cones come under the alternate pockets they form
bottoms to them and so the whole becomes a mould, these moulds are filled through
the ports in the conical bottom of the vertical tube assisted by the revolving arms
on the vertical shaft.
The plungers or rams on the cylinders carried by the tube now descend and
press the block or brick. After a short interval the pressing plate is reversed and
its open spaces or holes being now underneath the said pockets (now forming
bottomless moulds) the blocks or bricks are ejected.
I so arrange the hydraulic cylinders that the same water or oil is used again and
again.
I adapt a cam or a, cross shaft arranged to press alternately on the ends of
oppositely facing rams or pumps supplying the said hydraulic cylinders on the
vertical tube forming the pressing plungers and also the hydraulic cylinders
operating the pressing plate. The cam is so formed that in a part of its stroke it
allows the hydraulic cylinders operating the pressing plate to move same before
the pressing plungers begin to act.. Instead of a cam driven by a steam or like
engine I may place a steam cylinder 'between the two main rams or pumps fitted
with a slide or like valve to reverse the same at each stroke and connect the branch
of the hydraulic main from each hydraulic ram or pump cylinder, fitting valves in
each branch, one leading to the hydraulic pressing cylinders and the other to those
operating the pressing plate.
The valves are so operated that one is closed while the other is open thus giving
the rest to the pressing plunger whilst the pressing plate rams move.
.
The pressing plunger cylinders are alternately connected to the hydraulic main
from each main ram or pump cylinder so that the same water, oil or like liquid is
used again and again the movement of one plunger drawing the liquid from its
neighbour or vice versa..
For preparing the material before pressing I proceed as follows
The steam boiler or boilers is or are so placed that I conduct the waste and
residue heat through a covered circular chamber from which it passes out and up a
stack placed on the opposite side of the said chamber.
";
In the circular chamber revolves a circular plate attached to a vertical shaft.'
Through the roof of the chamber and enclosing the vertical shaft descends a tube
of a suitable size fitted with steam jets and nearly touching the circular plate,
through this tube is passed the mixed material to be operated on and prepared by
the waste heat as described.
Or I simply agglomerate the prepared mixture passing it through a. tubo.or
chamber inside, of which are a series of revolving arms or stirrers on a shaft.
From the boiler fire or the residue heat chamber I conduct a suitable pipe with
as many branches as necessary the terminating points of these-pipes I conduct to
the interior of the agglomerating tube or chamber. In each of the lengths of pipes
between the fire and the agglomerating tube or chamber I place an ejector or
nozzle to blow a jet of steam into the agglomerating tube or chamber taking with
it the heat from the boiler fire or waste heat from the chamber after combustion.
By this method I obtain a sure and regular, agglomeration of the material and by
using the jet of steam I obtain great heat and do not burn or char the material
'operated on.

page_text: Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for the Manufacture
of Artificial Fuel, Bricks, and the like, and in Preparing
Materials for the same.
I, WILLIAM BONDFIELD WESTLAKE, of 19, Northampton Place, Swansea, in the
county of Glamorgan, Manager of Works and Contractor, 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 :-
The first part of my invention relates to the pressing machinery which is
constructed in such a way that so many blocks as are desired can be made at one
and the same time and each block kept under pressure as long as may be desired
and with this method of pressing, a more liquid material for agglomeration may
be used than has been possible hitherto. The second part of my invention relates
to the methods of preparing the materials.'
Reference. must be had to the accompanying drawings and to the figures and
letters of reference thereon marked.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of arrangement of superheater, pugmill and press.
Fig. 2 a vertical section and half elevation of the press..
Fig. 3 shows cylinders and ports on line - Fig. 2.1.
Fig. 4 elevation of a pair of rams.
Fig. 5 is a plan of the main actuating rams when worked by a direct-acting
steam engine.
Fig. 6 a vertical section of same when worked by a cam driven off a revolving
shaft by steam or other pressure.
Fig. 7 is a plan of the hydraulic main.
Fig. 8 is a plan of the pressing table.
Fig. 9 a section of same on line x-x Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 an enlarged elevation of a flat-topped cone.
Fig. 11 a section of cone on line yy Fig. 8.
Fig. 12 is a general reduced plan of main actuating rams, connections, valves
gearing and pressing cylinders.
Fig. 13 side elevation of main actuating cylinders and "cam corresponding to
Fig. 6.
Fig. 14 is a diagram of the various positions of the rams of the pressing cylinders
during the stroke.
Fig. 15 the same with reference to the pressing table.
Fig. 16 the same with reference to the cam and main actuating rams.
Fig. 17 diagram of the stroke of the main actuating ram as shown by the hori-
zontal line and half-revolution of the main shaft driving the cam as shown by the
vertical line. In this diagram the valves K³, K are marked A and valves M³ and M*
are marked B.
Fig. 18, is a section of pug mill heating chamber and rotating table, and skeleton
elevation of press shewing an alternative method of agglomerating the materials to
that shewn in Fig. 1.

page_text: With regard to the first part of my invention, A is a vertical tube preferably
constructed in sections as shewn in Fig. 2.
This tube has a conical bottom B having a flat top or annulus C: inside this
tube revolves an upright shaft D having stirrers or arms E to agitate material
poured into the tube.
F are a number of arms or blades attached to the said shaft D at its bottom and
revolving on the conical bottom B of the tube A.
Round the bottom of this tube I place a suitable number of ports G leading to
open-bottom moulds H in number corresponding to the number of blocks required
to be made in a given time by the machine.
Round the periphery of the tube A I arrange a number of bydraulic cylinders
I, J preferably as shewn for the purpose of getting a larger number round the
cylinder than if they were all in the same plane--that is to say I arrange every
alternate cylinder I at a greater elevation than the other cylinder J so that the
flanges of the glands step over each other. In these cylinders work plungers
Ko, Kb carried by plunger rods L passing through stuffing boxes at the top of
each cylinder:
The plunger rods are screwed at the top and tapped yokes or bosses M engage
with the same, their other ends screwing on short rods N, the threads thus being
right and left. handed. By rotating the boss M the rod L is caused to approach or
recede from the rod N for the purpose of regulating the stroke of the plunger. The
Tods N carry eyes at their ends connected to chains or equivalents O passing over
pulleys P arranged round the tube A as shewn, the chain O continuing from the
iod N of one cylinder I over the pulley P to the rod N of the adjacent cylinder J.
When one plunger I is depressed its neighbour J is raised by the chain O as shewn
most clearly in Figs. 2 and (especially) 4.
The cylinders I have flanged ports Q and cylinders J have corresponding ports R,
these ports of cylinder I are connected by pipes S with the hydraulic main U
(Fig. 1) for actuating the rams in the pressing cylinders I, and ports R of
cylinders J connected by pipes T to a corresponding main U₁. Under the open
bottom moulds H I arrange a circular plate V having half the number of flat-
topped cones W (see Figs. 1' and 2 and 8 to 11) and blank spaces X, as there are
moulds H round the cylinder.
*2
This plate V partially rotates on a flat bed Y attached to the bottom of the
tube A as shown in Fig. 2. Pulleys Z are arranged round this bed Y. A¹ is a bed
or casing of the apparatus supporting the tube A and its appurtenances. B1, B2 are
other series of pulleys arranged round the same. Inside the casing A¹ or otherwise
suitably placed I arrange a pair of hydraulic cylinders C, C facing each other as
shewn in Fig. 2. A single ram D¹ fits these bottom cylinders passing through
glands and cup-leathers. One end of the ram D' fits cylinder and the other
end D³ fits cylinder C². E¹, E² are the ports to the hydraulic main actuating the
ram as hereafter described. F' is a sheave carried by ram D¹ and over which
passes a chain, rope or equivalent G¹ passing over the pulleys Z, B¹; B³ and
connected to the circular plate V. having the alternate flat-topped cones W and
spaces X. Now it is evident that if water be admitted to the cylinder C¹, the.
pressure being relieved in cylinder C, that the ram D¹ will advance into
cylinder C by reason of the pressure acting on the end D2 of the rain. Thus the
sheave F¹ will pull on the chain G which will therefore pull the plate V round in
one direction and if the pressure in cylinder C¹ be now taken off and transferred to
cylinder C the ram D₁ will move in the opposite direction and so reverse the
table V which has therefore an oscillatory or to-and-fro motion.
I will now proceed to describe how the rams of the press and those of the
mould or pressing table are worked. On Figures 5, 6, 12, 13, 15, H¹ H' are two
hydraulic cylinders facing each other in which rams 11, 12 work..
In Fig. 5 these rams are connected to a steam piston moving in a cylinder I³.
In Fig. 6 they are worked by a cam 14 carried by a main shaft ♬ driven by a
steam engine or otherwise.

page_text: Referring again to Fig. 5. J³, J³ are guides for the travel of a crosshead J* carried
by the piston-rod J. Jo is a connecting rod to a crank on a shaft J7.. Ja is an
eccentric operating the slide valve by rod as shown.
On this shaft J are placed tappets K¹; K" set as shown and to operate valves as
hereafter described.
By whatever method I obtain the reciprocating motion of the rams I¹, I² from
the ends of their cylinders H¹ H' are taken pipes K³, K, the pipe K³ leading to
the main U of the pressing cylinders I and the pipe K leading to the main U₁ of
the pressing cylinders J (see Fig. 12). In these pipes K³, K' are placed valves K³, K
of the cone or other suitable variety operated by levers K', K³ carried by their
spindles.
༣
A branch pipe M¹ also leads from the end of the cylinder H to the table
cylinder C and a branch M from cylinder Hs to table cylinder C. Valves M³, M+
are placed in these pipes M¹; M2 and are operated by levers M³, M®.
The valves K³, K are arranged to be opened by the levers K', K8 being lifted
by the tappets K', K' and the valves M³, M' are opened similarly by the
tappets M, M³, the ends of the levers being counter-weighted or spring-impelled
so as to shut the valve when the throw of the tappet ceases.
The tappets K, K, M, and M³ are all mounted on the same shaft (J¹·in
Figs. 6, 12, 13 and J' in Fig. 5) and are so arranged that K1, K2 open the
valves K, K simultaneously and close them simultaneously. As they are being
closed M and Ms simultaneously open the valves M³, M which are again closed as
the valves K, K are opened. It is evident that at any part of the stroke of the
actuating rams 1', I' one of the valves in the pipes leading from H' is open and 'the
other closed and the corresponding valves in the pipes leading from H' are in the.
same position, but the flow of liquid through these valves is in reverse directions
because one set is in connection with the cylinder in which the ram is advancing and
the other with that in which it is receding so that when the pressure is upon the
rams in one set of cylinders I or C¹ it is relieved in the corresponding set J or C
In Figs. 6, 12 and 13 a cain I mounted on the central shaft J¹ imparts the
reciprocating motion to the actuating rams, The valve tappets K¹, K³, M and M³:
are also mounted on the shaft J¹.
.
The rams I, I carry friction rollers L L³ for the cam I' to work against
alternately.
We will suppose the main ram I¹ to be at the commencement of its stroke
(Figs. 6, 12, 13 and 16). The valves K, K are now open M³, M* closed and the
cam I and rams I, K, Kb, D and D³ in the position marked 1. (Figs. 14; 15, 16):
While the cam I and ram I move from position 1 to 2 as represented by the diagrams
Figs. 16 and 17, the pressure is put upon the rams in cylinders I and relieved
from cylinders J. In I the brick is compressed while in J the ram by means of
the chain O is raised partially in its mould. The ends of the rams K, Kb are now
in the position represented by the line marked 2... 3 Fig. 14. At the line
marked 2 Fig. 17 it will be seen that for a small portion of the revolution of the
cam there is no forward movement of the ram. During this stop the valves K³; K
are closed and valves M³, M* opened by the tappets K1, K2, M' and M. Then
as the cam rotates through the next eigth part of its revolution, to position 3,
the ram is putting the pressure on the ram D² in pressing-plate-cylinder C¹;
through the pipe M and the pressure upon C² being relieved at the same time, the
ram D2 moves to position marked 3 and the flat-topped cones W. are thus moved
to the other set of moulds, namely those beneath cylinders J. The valves M², M³
are then closed and K³, K opened during another brief stop so that while the cam
moves from position 3 to position 4, the pressure is again transferred to the rams
in cylinders I, which eject the compressed bricks out of the now bottomless moulds
into the spaces X and by means of the chain bring the other set of rams to the
top of their respective moulds.
As soon as the cam I reaches position 4, that part of it nearest the centre of the
shaft is bearing against the friction roller L³ of the other ram -12- so that the

page_text: reverse stroke commences, and the same operation is repeated in the other set of
cylinders, the valves K³, K remaining open for the first half of the stroke or
quarter of the revolution of the cam. Referring now to Fig. 5 where the steam
cylinder I takes the place of the cam I'. As the piston in the steam cylinder
moves to the right the ram 12 advances, and the water or other liquid is forced
alternately into the press-cylinders J and table cylinder C² according as the
valves K, K° or M³, Mare open.
The tappets K', K2, M7 and M which operate these valves exactly as described
above for the cam are preferably placed upon the same shaft J' as the eccentric
which works the slide valve of the steam cylinder, and are so arranged with respect
to each other and to the eccentric that the pressure resulting from each stroke of
the piston is transmitted to the different cylinders in the same manner as that
produced by the half-revolution of the cam and this I can also accomplish by using
a cataract, cam or tappet valve-gear or other time-gear.
Thus the various rams move in time and unison and the arrangement is perfectly
automatic.
If desired I may work the ramis by pressure obtained from accumulators instead
of as above set forth.
It will thus be seen that I use the same oil, water, glycerine or other pressure
liquid again and again the movement of one set of rams drawing it from the other
and so the liquid is not appreciably wasted. Referring to Fig. 4 and to the skeleton
diagram Fig. 14 it will be seen that at the end of the first part of the stroke of the
rams Ko, Kb (in which position they are supposed to be in Fig. 4 and as represented
by the line marked 2-3 in Fig. 14) the ascending ram Kb must cover the port G
because there is then no bottom under its mould and the distance from position 1
to position 2 must be less than half the complete stroke. But I wish to make the
corresponding portion of the stroke of the descending ram Ka during which the
brick is compressed greater than half the stroke. So that it is necessary that in
the first part of the stroke the descending ram should have a greater velocity than
the ascending one, and that in the second part of the stroke the ascending ram
should have the greater velocity.
I obtain this result by casting or fixing on the pulley P a pair of snugs or
projections P1, P2 the radius of each of which bears to that of the periphery of the
pulley a greater ratio than the greater part bears to the lesser part of the stroke of
the rams. And I arrange them in such a manner that the chain on the same side
of the pulley as the ram which is to have the greater velocity rests upon the
projection, while the chain on the other side rests upon the periphery of the
pulley.
In Fig. 4 the chain on the same side as K which has just made its descending
stroke has been bearing upon P¹ at a greater distance from the axis of motion
than P, upon which the chain on the same side as Kb has been bearing and so the
motion has been reduced:
In the next part of the stroke the conditions will be reversed and the motion
will be increased..
I make the moulds H before referred to loose and preferably of brass and
tapered to fit sockets or recesses as in Fig. 2. Thus the moulds can easily be
removed from the sockets or recesses for cleaning, removal or repairs.
With regard to the second part of my invention I shew two methods of per-
forming the same. In the first illustrated by Fig. 1 I arrange superheaters N₁ in:
the furnace or the outlet flue of the boiler N³ and connect with the same an outlet
jet N³. I also arrange an throated pipe or flue 0¹ to enter the waste flue of the
furnace and arrange the jet N³ from the superheater (or from a high pressure boiler.
if desired) to dip into this pipe 01. Thus the superheated or high-pressure steam
draws the heated gases or flame from the outlet flue of the furnace into pipes 0° 0³
leading to the pug-mill where the said gases or flame play on the agglomerating.
fuel or mixture being agitated in the pug-mill which may be of any suitable con-
struction. The said heat abstracted from the furnace flue so tempers the material:

page_text: to the right consistency, and valves may regulate the flow of the same.. .By using
the jet of steam I obtain great heat and do not burn the material operated on.
The second method of preparing the materials is shown in. Fig. 18 where A² is
the pug mill Bs a circular chamber, C³ a rotating table fixed upon the same
shaft D as the stirrers E³. F' is a steam boiler whose waste heat I utilize though
I can add to that or work independently of it by means of the fire-place G. From
the superheaters H³ I bring jets of steam to the periphery of the pug-mill which
effect the agglomeration of the fuel introduced at the top. This is aided and the
condensed steam in the material vaporized by the heated gases from the flue I' the
supply of which to the interior of the chamber over the table C or to the flue J*
around the pug-mill is regulated by the valve K'..
At the bottom of the pug-mill a small plate of iron or other suitable material L
is placed at such an angle that the material as it reaches the bottom of the pug-
mill is lead away by the revolution of the table from its centre. A series of small
curved plates M³ are fixed upon rods extending from the periphery of the pug-mill
to that of the chamber B³ at certain intervals and angles which may be altered at
pleasure and these act like small ploughs as the table rotates each turning a small
portion of the mixture on towards the circumference so that there is a continuous
thin layer of mixture exposed to the action of the heated gases on their way to the
chimney by means of the culvert N*.
At the door 0% of the chamber there is also a plate P³ fixed at a right angle for
the material to be transferred by another fixed plate to the hopper Q1 which may
either feed it directly into the press R¹ as shewn in Fig. 18, or into a cooling tube
leading into the press.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
Firstly. In apparatus for pressing or moulding artificial fuel and the like, the
arrangement of vertical tube A having ports G placed radially round it leading to
moulds H in combination with arms or stirrers E, F delivering material to the
ports and moulds, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Secondly. In combination with the said tube A, a series of hydraulic rams I, J
placed radially round the same and working alternately, in combination with a
partially rotating table carrying projections or surfaces forming temporary bottoms
to the moulds, and spaces to allow of the ejection of the pressed blocks sub-
stantially as described.
'
Thirdly. The partially rotating pressing-table V with flat-topped cones W and
spaces X and operated substantially as set forth.
Fourthly. In combination with the table V of the rams D2 D3 for operating the
same by alternate strokes and periods of rest, substantially as described.
Fifthly. In combination with the pressing cylinders I, J and table cylinders C¹ C³,
the main actuating cylinders H¹ H and their various valves and mains for
actuating the pressing rams and table rams alternately, substantially as described.
Sixthly. The arrangement of graduated cam I' for actuating the main rams I, I³,
BO as to cause the same to move at different speeds or rest while the cam revolves
uniformly to allow the table-rams C¹ C² to act between the strokes of the pressing
ram substantially as described.
Seventhly. As a mechanical equivalent for the said cam, the combination of
steam cylinder Is with main rams I', I' and their appurtenances substantially as
described.
Eighthly. The arrangement and method of working pipes K³ K leading from
the ends of the cylinders H³, H' in combination with the pipes M¹, M² and
valves K³, Kº, M³, M* operated by tappets K1, K2, M, M worked by the aforesaid
cam I or steam cylinder I³ so as to use the liquid in the various cylinders and
mains continuously without much appreciable waste substantially as set forth.

page_text: Ninthly. The method of transmitting the motion of one ram Ka to another Kb
by means of the chain O, pulley P, and projections P1, P2. substantially as
described.
Tenthly. The method of and apparatus for heating the fuel or material whilst in
process of agglomeration by causing a jet of superheated or bigh pressure steam
from the boiler to draw gases or flame from the flue or furnace and direct same into
the agglomerating fuel or material substantially as described.
Eleventhly. The alternative method of agglomerating the fuel or material by
passing jets of superheated steam into the mixture directly and causing the heated
gases from a flue to subsequently pass over the material and so extract the steam
from it substantially as described with reference to Fig. 18 of the accompanying
drawings.
Twelfthly. The arrangement of apparatus substantially as described with refer-
ence to Fig. 18 of the accompanying drawings, wherein a rotating plate is used in
a covered chamber to expose the material to the joint action of superheated steam
and heat.
Thirteenthly. The general arrangement and combination of apparatus and
methods of working the same substantially as described.