Improvements relating to the Drying of Wool and other Fibrous Materials, and Machines or Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1886

page_text: Improvements relating to the Drying of Wool and other
Fibrous Materials, and Machines or Apparatus therefor.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex 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 :-
This invention relates to machines for drying wool and other fibrous materials,
the materials to be dried are placed upon screens in a loose condition and a current
of air forced or drawn through the mass to dry it.
The said invention consists partly in alternately forcing and drawing or inter-
mittently forcing or drawing a current of air, or air charged with drying
constituents, through the fibre, thus preventing the fibre from becoming matted
down and consolidated by the force of the air current flowing constantly in one
direction and loosening and opening it up in the drying process; and it further
partly consists in the novel arrangement of the parts of the mechanism for carrying
said drying process into effect, the invention being carried out substantially as
hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of one form of wool-drying machine
constructed according to the said invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of the machine on the line x x Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a view of part of one side of the machine, showing the mechanism for
working the dampers which close and open the air draught.
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the machine, showing the dampers in their air
passages, as hereinafter described.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of part of one of the air-conduits, showing in dotted
lines the open and closed positions of the damper in it, as hereinafter described.
A is the side and ends of the machine, which is open at the top.

page_text: As are the casings of the air draught and fans. B B.are two drums carrying
the endless wire screen C upon which the wool is carried through the machine in
the drying process.
D, D¹ are the fans for producing the alternate air-currents, the direction of which
is shown by the arrows. These fans are on the same shaft, d which extends across
the machine, and has attached to one end the driving and loose pulleys e e¹. They
are placed in round holes d' d³, which they just fill connecting the body of the
machine with the air draught conduits A¹, which are open at the top like a chimney.
In these chimneys near the top are dampers f¹ få attached to the shaft f, which
passes through the chimneys. These dampers are so hung upon the shaft ƒ as to
open and close alternately-i,e, when one is open the other is closed, by being
attached to the shaft, so that when one stands as shown in Figure 3 in dotted lines
the other shall stand vertically. They operate in closing the chimney like ordinary
stove-pipe dampers, as follows;-To the shaft fis attached the crank f. On the
crank is a rod f³, which plays freely back and forth through a hole in the ear i
attached to the side of the machine. A collar is secured to the rod f³, and a
spiral spring, on the rod between ear i and collar ¹ by its expansion keeps the
crank in the position shown in Figure 3. A lever, is pivotted to the side of
the machine at it and has one end bearing against the collar and the other
against the cam 2, which is attached to the projecting end of the shaft of one of
the drums B. It is evident that as B revolves once the cam will open and close
the dampers alternately twice, because cam moves lever ", which moves endwise
rod f³, which swings crank f' and the spring i brings it back as the cam continues
to revolve.
The lower part of the body of the machine is of course tightly closed to prevent
air escaping in that direction. An inclined plane c is placed at the top of the
machine at one end, which, with the vertical partition c³, forms a hopper to feed
carries
the wool upon the traversing screen C. A feed or compression roll, c³,
forward the wool out of the hopper over the air-blast and prevents the escape of
air through it. Over the whole length of, the apron C, from feed roll to the
feed-out roll c✶ is placed the perforated top or screen E, which catches and holds
the wool as it rises, when the air-blast is from within outward and upward. This
screen E is so placed as to leave an open space between it and the perforated
apron C, to allow the fibre to lie loosely upon the latter and be lifted and opened
up by the force of the air-draught from beneath, and this open space is important
in effecting the drying process. The feed-out roll not only aids to convey away
the wool, but prevents the escape of air at that end of the apron C. Below the
feed-out roll I place a doffer h, of ordinary construction, to remove any fibre
which does not drop off from apron C. Feed-in roll ³, feed out roll c', and
doffer revolve in the ordinary and well known manner, a pulley h¹, being
attached to the end of the latter's shafts, as in other wool or cotton machines
containing similar doffers, where that shaft projects beyond the side of the machine
represented in Figure 1. On the lower side of screen E, I place transverse
partitions n, n n, depending vertically downward for some distance from the
screen, as shown, which serve to keep the wool from bunching or mixing up when
it rises by the blast from below.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-The wool being fed upon the
apron C, and the latter moving forward as cam revolves and is in the position
shown in Figure 2, the damper f¹ in the right hand chimney A¹ of Figure 1 will
be closed, and fan D will draw its air down through screen E and apron C and
expel it through the left hand chimney A*, the damper of which is open. This
brings the draft downward through the wool and holds it upon apron C. As
cam continues to revolve it brings its larger part against lever and opens the
damper in the right hand chimney A¹, Figure 2 and closes the damper of the left
hand one.
Fan D, now having no air delivery place, ceases to draw in air, while
fan D¹ draws the air downward through the right hand chimney and forces it out

page_text: upwardly through apron C and screen E, thus lifting and opening the wool com-
pressed by the opposite draught As the cam revolves it continues to alternate
the air-draught in this manner, and the drying process is greatly facilitated. The
screen E prevents the wool from rising too far upon the upward air-blast.
I am aware that various arrangements of air inducts and educts with air-blast
machinery and dampers may be used instead of the one I have shown, and I do
not limit myself to that precise form.
To operate the machine with an intermittent air-draft or air-blast it is only
necessary to cover over the upper end of the induct A', or the educt A* as the case
may be.
The fan and damper in the air-conduit so covered over will then run in
dead or stationary air and without any great amount of friction, while the fan and
damper in the air-conduit remaining open will create an intermittent air current
through the fibre as it is carried through the machine on the apron C. This will
produce a constant vibration in the fibres of the wool by the alternate loosening
up and compression of the mass, similar in kind to that produced by alternate
currents, and such intermittent blast or draft current is of much greater effect than
a steady current in the same direction in removing the moisture from the fibre.
The drawings Figures 6 to 10 inclusive represent another form of mechanism
for carrying out the invention. Figure 6 represents a side elevation of the machine
with parts of the casing broken away to show the working parts.
Figure 7 is a transverse vertical section of the same through the axis of the fans.
Figure 8 represents a portion of the machine with the top removed to show the
automatic apparatus for working the damper.
Figure 9 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the machine.
Figure 10 is the same as Figure 7 with the damper reversed.
A³ is the casing of the machine. B2 B3 are air passages formed on the outside of
the casing, and leading from above the perforated aprons which inclose the fibre to
a chamber below such apron. These passages connect with such chamber by
openings at bb at top and bottom. A shaft, a, extends transversely across the
machine, and has upon one end a driving pulley a³, to revolve it. It is supported
in boxes a³, secured to the casing as shown. Where the shaft passes through the
casing, circular holes are cut in the latter on each side axial to the shaft, and of
considerable diameter. Nearly filling these holes and mounted upon the shaft are
two fans C C³ one of which is adjusted to force the air into the machine and
the other to draw it out. Covering or surrounding the fan C at one side of
the machine is a passage, D³, inclosing it on the sides and fitted tightly against the
casing of the machine, but open at the top to allow for the admission of air The
upper part of this tubular passage, is filled with steam-pipes d' d' between which
the air must pass in entering it, and the pipes being filled with steam the air is
thus highly heated before entering the machine.
The arrows indicate the direction of the current of air.
E E are two drums placed near the ends of the machine and mounted on
axes e e extending transversely across it. The drum E has its axis supported in
boxes e³ which are capable of moving back and forth in slots et in the casing of the
machine, and are secured in any desired position by the set screws es e³. The
purpose of these boxes, slots and set-screws is to bring a strain upon the perforated
apron which extends around the drums E¹ E³, and cause it to be held horizontally
on top, where it sustains the fibre. This perforated apron, F, is endless and is
moved by the revolution of the drums E¹ E. This apron passes on its lower side
through horizontal slots in the vertical partitions K K as shown in Figure 9
which allow it to traverse through them freely, but prevent the escape of the air
currents,
F1 is a second perforated apron secured horizontally in the frame of the machine
a short distance above and parallel to the upper surface of the apron F, and the
apron F, while it allows the air to pass through it freely, prevents the fibre from
being carried off by it when passed upward through the aprons.

page_text: G is a feeding-apron to carry the fibre into the machine, passing around rollers
supported upon the axes g, g.
Upon the axis g¹ is mounted a roller, which yields upward and downward in
slots g in the ordinary manner and serves to admit the fibre, while preventing the
escape of air. The construction and operation of this roller are well known.
At the lead-out end of the machine the yielding flap or apron, f³, hinged at its
top edge to the casing, allows the fibre to escape, while preventing escape of the
current of air. This flap is made of some heavy material to hold it down, if
desired.
Between the upper and lower horizontal portions of the apron F as it passes
around the drums, are four diagonal partitions h³ h³, and h³ ³ secured at their outer
edges firmly to the casing A³, and extending at the ends and joining to partitions K,
which are attached to the outer casing A³ at their ends, and extend transversely
and vertically across and fill the entire space between said upper and lower
travelling portions of the apron F. These diagonal partitions h³ h² h³ h³ are of
equal breadth and the space between their opposite edges is the same at all points
in them. A damper I is mounted on bearings in the partitions K K and is of
just sufficient breadth to fill the space between the edges of either pair of diagonally
opposite partitions h³ h³ or h³ h³, as shown in Figure 7. Where the shaft a passes
through this damper, a slot i7, of a breadth and length to allow the shaft to pass
freely, is made in it. The bearings 6 are in the same right line with the centre of
the slot and with the axis of the shaft a, and are at the longitudinal centre of
the damper, and are secured firmly in the damper, so as to turn with it. On the
end of one of these bearings 6 (Figure 8) is attached a crank, k to which is con-
nected the rod k² extending through the casing of the machine, and to its outer
end is pivotted the link k³, to which is in turn pivotted the link k*, which is
attached at the other end by a pivot 5 to the frame of the machine, The pivot,
which joins and *, passes through one end of a rod 1, which plays back and
forth through holes in the ears 12.1, connected to the frame-work.
Between the ears, and surrounding the rod is a spiral spring, m which bears
against the collar m* attached to the rod 7 at one end of the spring and against an
ear at its other end and thus holds the rod against a cam e, attached to the
shaft of the drum E¹. The rod has, its end which bears against the cam,
rounded to avoid friction. The length of the links * and the position of the
crank k and rod are so adjusted that when the spring m holds the rod against
the cam e as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the damper I will close the space between
two of the diagonally opposite partitions h³ h. When, however, the cam e is
revolved and the rod is forced toward the links k³, k the latter expand their ends
and move the rod k and crank k so as to revolve the damper I a quarter revolution
on its axis and close the space between the other two diagonally opposite parti-
tions h³ ³. The drums E¹ E are revolved by a pulley or gearing of any ordinary
construction, attached to the shaft of one of them.
The operation of the machine is as follows; The air passes into the mouth of
the spout D³ and, being heated by the steam pipes d', is drawn inward by the
fan C and forced into the machine. The damper being in the position shown in
Figure 7, the air passes upward through the aprons F, F' and into the tubes B³ B
at their top ends, and thence downward and out of them at the bottom ends into
the space on the opposite side of the damper I and partitions h³ h³, and thence
outward through the fan C³ and out of the machine.
The fan C has been drawing the air out of the machine during the time that
the fan C³ was forcing it in, and a double power is therefore exerted upon the
current of air by the two fans at the same time. As the drum E¹ continues to
revolve and the apron F to carry the fibre through the machine, the cam e forces
the damper I to revolve on its bearings and close the space between the diagonally
opposite partitions h² h* by ineans of the rod l, links k³ k rod k and crank k, and
the air being forced inwards by the fan C2, now passes into the bottom ends of the

page_text: tuves D, D, thence up through them to the space above the perforated aproNS
and downward through these, and, striking against the opposite side of the damper I
and partitions h³, h², passes outward through the fan C as before. The effect of
thus alternately passing the air upward and downward through the fibre is to
shake it open and dry every part of it more rapidly, and the rapid alternation of
these upward and downward currents greatly assists in this operation. This is
accomplished automatically by the quarter-turning of the damper I upon its
bearings; and the entire machine is very durable and simple in operation, One
fan only may be used instead of two, if desired.
The drawings Figures 11 to 13 inclusive represent another form of mechanism
for carrying out the Invention.
Figure 11 is a side view of a wool drying machine constructed according to the
Invention.
Figure 12 is a vertical central section longitudinally through the same.
Figure 13 is a transverse vertical section of Figure 11.
A* is the outer casing of the machine.
1 is the travelling perforated screen passing around cylinders or drums 18. 18.
2 is a similar perforated screen passing around drums 19, 19, G¹ is the feed-apron
to deliver the fibre between the screens, which carry it along and deliver it into
exit spout 3. The feed apron travels around rolls 4, 4, which rotate in the usual
manner. A check or stop roll, 5, prevents the escape of air at this end of the
machine while assisting to feed the fibre forward: This check or stop roll rises
freely up and down, and is for the purpose of filling the entire space above the
wool, through which air can escape at this end of the machine, while allowing the
wool to pass into the machine freely, and it so adjusts itself as to fill substantially
this entire space while rising and falling. On the side of the machine is a box, 6,
into which the blast-pipe G³ delivers a current of air by means of a fan or other
appropriate device of ordinary construction and attachment thereto, which need
not be further described or shewn being well known. At the top and bottom of
box 6, are air passages 7, 7, through which the air passes into chambers, 8, 8, above
and below the perforated aprons or screens 1 and 2. The travelling screens 1, 2
are so placed in the machine that their surfaces which are opposite to each other
are separated by a sufficient space to allow the fibre between them to lie loosely
and be opened up by the air-currents, and not compressed or matted between these
surfaces, which would materially-retard the passage of the air-currents through the
fibre and consequent drying of it. From lower chamber 8, the air blast passes into
chambers 9, 9, thence upward through the screens and fibre between them into
chan.bers 10, 10, and thence out through passages 11, 11 in the side of the
machine. In like manner from upper chamber 8, the air passes downward into
chambers 12, 12, and through the screens and intervening fibre into similar
chambers, 13, 13, and out through holes, 14, 14, Thus while carried forward by
the movement of the screens 1, 2 the wool is first subjected, between chambers 12
and 13 to a downward air current that presses it against screen 2, and next,
between chambers 9 and 10, it is subjected to an upward air-current, which lifts it
against screen 1 and shakes apart its fibres, and so on alternately until it is
delivered at pipe 3. At 15, the pipe 3 is brought near enough to screens 1 and 2
to doff the wool off them, and the air current aids to carry it out through pipe 3.
The pipe 3 is as wide as the screens 1 and 2.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :—
First. The combination in a fibre drying machine of the perforated apron C,
with suitable air-blast and suction mechanism operating to alternately force and
draw air through said apron, substantially as described.

page_text: Second. In combination with the perforated traveling apron C, the mechanism
for producing alternate air currents upwards and downward through the same,
substantially as described.
+
Third. In a fibre-drying machine, in combination with the perforated travelling
apron C, the air draught fan D, with its air-exit passage A' and damper f¹
substantially as described.
Fourth. In a fibre-drying machine, in combination with the perforated travel-
ling apron C, the air blast fan D¹, and its air-induct passage A¹ and damper f¹,
substantially as described.
Fifth. In a fibre-drying machine, the combination of perforated apron C and
screen E with suitable blast and draught mechanism, operating alternately to force
and draw air through said apron and screen substantially as described.
Sixth. The combination, in a fibre drying machine, of the perforated apron C,
the screen E, and the partitions n, n, an air blast mechanism, substantially as
described.
Seventh. In combination with the travelling perforated apron C, and the
screen E and suitable alternately operating air draught and blast mechanism, the
feed in roll c³ and feed out roll c, substantially as described.
Eighth. In combination with the air induct and educt passages A¹ A² provided
with alternately operating dampers f1 f actuated by suitable mechanism, the
perforated apron C and suitable air draught and blast mechanism adapted to
produce alternate currents of air through said apron, substantially as described.
Ninth. The described process of opening and drying fibre by spreading the same
in a sheet upon a perforated apron and forcing currents of air alternately upward
and downward through the same and the apron, substantially as described.
Tenth. The combination of the shaft fdampers f¹ƒ³, crank f*, rod ƒ³, lever i³
and cam substantially as described.
Eleventh. The combination of the perforated apron C, air induct and educt
passages d² d³, leading beneath the same, and suitable air blast and draught
mechanism connected therewith operating alternately and producing alternate
inward and outward air currents, through said apron and air passages, substantially
as described.
Twelfth. In combination with the perforated travelling apron C and suitable
air-blast mechanism for creating currents through the same, the screen E, placed at
a sufficient distance above screen C to permit the fibre to be opened up by said
currents substantially as described.
Thirteenth. The combination in a fibre-drying machine, of the perforated
aprons F F', one or more air-passages B2, leading from the upper to the lower sides
of said apron, the reversible damper I, and the fan C, substantially as described.
Fourteenth. The combination in a fibre-drying machine, of the travelling
perforated apron F, one or more air-passages B2, leading from the upper to the
lower side of said apron, the damper I, and the fan C, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. The combination in a fibre-drying machine, of two fans, one forcing
the air current into the machine and the other drawing said air-current out of the
machine, with the perforated aprons F F¹ and the damper I connected with said
aprons by suitable air-passages leading from above to below the same, and adapted
to reverse the current of air through said aprons, substantially as described.
Sixteenth. The combination in a fibre-drying machine, of the perforated
aprons F F¹, one or more air-passages B' leading from above to below said aprons,
the reversible damper I, the fan C and the pipe D³, provided with steam-
pipes, d, d substantially as described.
Seventeenth. In combination with the moving screen-surfaces 1 and 2, the
alternate air passages 9, 10 and 12, 13 adapted to convey the air-blast in opposite
directions through the fibre, substantially as described.
Eighteenth. In a wool-drying machine, the combination, with two moving
screen surfaces 1, 2, placed far enough apart to allow the fibre to lie loosely
1

page_text: between them, of the air delivery and escape passages 9 and 10' above and below
said screen-surfaces, substantially as described.
and
Nineteenth. In combination with screens, 1, 2, the passages 12, 13 and 9, 10,
passages 8, 8 and 6, leading from the air pipe G2, substantially as described.
Twentieth. In combination with the screens 1, 2, having a space between them,
and passages 12, 13 and 9, 10 the feed apron G', and air-stop-roll 5, substantially
as described.
Twenty-first. In combination with screens 1, 2, the tube 3, having its edges
arranged to doff the fibre from the screens, substantially as described.
Dated this 15th day of February 1886.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.