An Improved Gunpowder-mixing Machine.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification. Left, 22nd Feb., 1890-Accepted, 19th Apr., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Gunpowder-mixing Machine.
'1, FREDERICK WILLIAM BARKER, of 151 Strand, Middlesex, Patent Agent, (a
communication to me from abroad by Paul A. Oliver, of Oliver's Mills Pennsylvania),
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This my invention relates to a new and improved gunpowder mixing machine and
it consists in the parts and combination of parts hereinafter set forth.
By this my invention, I provide a circular revolving tub, having its upper part
open, and its upper edge inclined inwards for a short distance down its sides. This
said tub is mounted upon a vertical shaft which is journalled in a suitable frame.
A circular rack is secured to the underside of the tub and is adapted to engage a
tooth-wheel or pinion upon a horizontal shaft mounted in the lower part of the
frame aforesaid. The revolving tub has a soft non-metallic lining to prevent ignition
of the powder by friction. Two agitators each consisting of a framing centrally
mounted upon a vertical shaft which journalled in the framing, are caused to
revolve within the tub in opposite directions thereto, by suitable revolving mechanism.
This said revolving mechanism consists of an overhead driving shaft upon which
are mounted pulleys, the driving belts upon which pass under guide pulleys mounted
in the frame aforesaid, and impart motion to the pulleys upon the vertical shafts of
the agitators. A belt from a pulley upon the overhead driving-shaft imparts motion
to a palley upon the horizontal shaft aforesaid, journalled in the lower part of the
frame and thus gives motion to the tub. The contents of the tub when mixed are
discharged through an opening provided with a door in the side of the tub.
Dated this 25th day of November 1889.
HORN & SUN,
Applicant's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Gunpowder-mixing Machine.
I FREDERICK WILLIAM BARKER, of 151 Strand Middlesex, Patent Agent, (a
communication to me from abroad by Paul A. Oliver of Oliver's Mills Pennsylvania
United States of America Gentleman) 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 my invention relates to mixers provided with revolving agitators, similar to
those used for mixing paints and other chemicals, which are mixed together while in
a moist condition; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of the
parts, as hereinafter fully described and claimed, whereby the mixer is especially
adapted for mixing together the materials used in the manufacture of gunpowder.
In the drawings; Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the mixer, partly in section Fig. 2
is a plan view of the mixer from above, also partly in section.
A is the framing of the machine provided with a central pivot a.
B is the mixing tub, which revolves upon the said pivot and is provided with the
inwardly-sloping: portion b at the top, which prevents the contents of the tub from
being thrown out.
B is a lining of wood or other similar soft material which extends over the bottom
and. sides of the tub, and prevents the materials from being fired by concussion
against the metallic sides of the tub.
C is a hevelled toothed wheel cast integral with, or otherwise secured to the bottom.
of the tub; and D is a bevelled pinion, gearing into the said toothed wheel and

page_text: mounted upon the shaft D', which is journalled in the bearings d, in the frame of
the machine and provided with the driving pulley d¹.
E is the main driving shaft, revolved by a steam engine or any other convenient
motor, and provided with the pulley e and belt e¹ for communicating motion to the
shaft D¹.
F are the agitators, each of which consists of a square frame provided with bars f,
which depend from the corners of the frame, and are rigidly secured to it in any
suitable manner.
F are the agitator-spindles, which are journalled in the bearings f' in the frame
of the machine.
G are driving pulleys secured on the shaft E, and G' are belt-pulleys secured on
the upper ends of the agitator spindles. Belts 9 are provided for communicating
the motion of the vertical to the horizontal pulleys, and g₁ are guide pulleys
pivotally supported from the frame of the machine, for the said belts 9 to run over.
Two agitators are used, and are arranged upon opposite sides of the axis of
the tub.
They are driven in the same direction at a speed of one thousand or more
revolutions a minute, and the tub is revolved in a contrary direction at about one
third as fast.
H is a pipe provided with perforated branches h, through which water in the
form of a very fine spray or in the form of steam is brought in contact with the
contents of the tub.
I is a door in the side of a tub for covering the outlet i. More than one of these
outlets may be provided, if desired. The door slides in guides ¹ and is held down
by its own weight.
J is a spring catch secured to the side of the tub above the door, and which
engages automatically with the lug j on the door when the latter is pushed up.
The materials of which the gunpowder is made are thrown in at the top of the
tub and the machine is set in motion. The said inflammable materials are moistened
by the water from the perforated pipes, and are repeatedly brought under the
action of the agitators by the revolving tub. The whole mass is thus thoroughly
mixed. The object of the high speed is to throw the materials against each other
with such violence as to reduce them to an impalpable powder and intermix their
particles by attrition at the same time. The wooden lining of the tub and the fine
spray of water prevent the materials from being exploded. The agitators are driven
by belts to avoid the noise and the danger from concussion which would be
experienced if toothed gearing were used. The use of two agitators arranged equi-
distant upon opposite sides of the axis of the tub and revolving in the same
direction with equal velocity prevents the materials from accumulating at any part
of the tub, so as to destroy its balance upon the central pivot, and the revolution of
the said tub in a contrary direction from the agitators places a fresh mass constantly
under them and insures a thorough and complete admixture of all the materials
thrown into the tub.
After the materials are mixed one of the outlet-doors is opened and the motion of
the machine is continued. The materials are then discharged by centrifugal force,
combined with the action of the two agitators.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a gunpowder-mixer the combination with a rapidly revolving tub balanced
upon a central pivot, of two agitators revolving rapidly in a contrary direction to the
tub and arranged upon opposite sides of its central axis.
2. In a gunpowder mixer, the combination with a rapidly-revolving tub balanced
upon a central pivot, of two agitators revolving rapidly with equal velocity in a
contrary direction to the tub and arranged equidistant from and upon opposite sides
of its central axis,

page_text: 3. In a gunpowder mixer the combination with a rapidly revolving tub balanced
upon a central pivot, of a soft non-metallic lining for the tub, and two agitators
revolving rapidly in a contrary direction to the tub upon opposite sides of its central
axis.
4. In a gunpowder-mixer, the combination with a rapidly revolving tub balanced
upon a central pivot, of two agitators revolving rapidly in a contrary direction to the
tub and a spray-pipe for moistening the materials in the tub.
5. In a gunpowder-mixer, the combination with a rapidly revolving tub balanced
upon a central pivot and provided with a discharge opening in its side and a door
for closing said opening, of two agitators revolving rapidly in a contrary direction
to the tub upon opposite sides of its axis, whereby the materials are discharged when
said door is opened, substantially as set forth.
6. In a gunpowder mixer, the combination, with a rapidly revolving open-top tub,
having an inwardly-sloping around its top edge, of two agitators consisting of frames
provided with depending bars, and revolving rapidly in a contrary direction to the
tub upon opposite sides of its axis.
7. In a gunpowder mixer, the combination of the framing provided with a central
pivot, the mixing tub mounted upon said pivot and provided with mechanism for
revolving it, the agitators inside the tub provided with vertical spindles, journalled
in the frame, the driving-pulleys secured upon said spindles, the guide pulleys
supported by the frame, and the main driving shaft provided with belt pulleys for
communicating rotary motion to the tub driving mechanism and to the agitators
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
1
L
1000
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.