Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 19th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 12th May, 1894
I, HARRY CHRISTOPHER ATKINS of No. 27 Agamemnon Road West
Hampstead London N.W. Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention consists of a cylinder which is hollow, has a solid rim and revolves
on its longitudinal axis.
The periphery is plain for a short distance near each end, but the intervening
surface is for the most part covered with grooves or ribs and channels or projections
and depressions so arranged as to divide the periphery into any desired number of
longitudinal collecting areas.
Each longitudinal collecting area is separated from the next by a plain space or
longitudinal rib extending from one plain end of the periphery to the other. The
object is that the filtering material which is intended to nearly surround the cylinder
shall rest on the plain ends of the periphery also on the longitudinal ribs or plain
spaces, but within these borders it rests upon an uneven surface that will allow the
liquid after filtering through the filtering material to travel underneath it to
any desired point resembling in this respect the arrangement of and result obtained
with ordinary filter presses. A similar effect may be obtained in a variety of ways
for instance having the periphery of the cylinder plain and of slightly less diameter
within the borders just described, but placing wire netting thereon so that the
filtering material rests on the uneven surface of the netting. In cases were heavy
pressure is required or the filtering material is of a frail description or for other
reasons sheets or plates more or less finely perforated may rest on the grooves or
ribs and channels, and within the borders before mentioned, the whole forming
essentially one cylinder with a solid rim.
Each longitudinal collecting area may discharge at one end through a valve
connected to a chamber. The chamber acts as the receiver for all the valves, and
revolves with the cylinder.
Or instead of discharging at one end, each longitudinal collecting area may be
subdivided into any number of transverse collecting areas which discharge into
branches from collecting pipes arranged longitudinally inside the cylinder. Each
collecting pipe is closed at one end and the opposite end terminates with a valve
connected to the chamber.
Or instead of collecting pipes, channels may be formed against the inside of the
cylinder each communicating with the collecting areas by suitable slots or
openings.
With the exception of collecting pipes or channels, and the chamber at one end,
the cylinder is hollow and may have both ends open. But by closing them it is
buoyant when at work and the requisite power to cause it to revolve is greatly
reduced.
An outlet pipe from the chamber acts as an axle for one end of the cylinder the
opposite end having a separate axle and each revolves on a suitable bearing. The
outlet pipe may either be secured to the chamber and revolve with it, or may be
stationary, and passing through a stuffing box form a dip pipe reaching nearly the
bottom of the inside of the chamber.
The collecting pipes may have a second set of valves discharging into a second
chamber at the opposite end of the cylinder. Or the chamber or chambers may be
dispensed with, when the ends of the cylinder are closed, and the valves on the
collecting pipe or channels discharge into the interior. There is no communication

page_text: between the outside of the cylinder and the inside except through the valves, in
combination with this last described arrangement. The liquid is withdrawn from
the interior by a centre tube which acts as a hollow axle in a similar manner to that
already described. Or instead of the collecting pipes or channels being fitted with
valves discharging into a chamber they may be connected to pipes converging and
discharging into a hollow axle. Or the hollow axle having a separate opening or
port for each converging pipe, the valves may be dispensed with and each opening
or port in the axle be controlled by an internal slide valve, or any other arrangement
for effecting a similar result.
The cylinder is nearly submerged in a cistern containing the liquid to be filtered.
An endless band of filtering material of about the same width, but greater length
than the circumference, is led onto the cylinder near the top, passes round and is led
off for cleaning purposes, on again approaching the top. The cylinder revolves
slowly, the filtering material travelling with it and filtering while doing so.
liquid to be filtered percolates through the filtering material where it rests on
the collecting areas, but cannot do so where it rests on the plain ends or on the
plain spaces or ribs.
The
Underneath the filtering material the filtered liquid passes along the grooves or
uneven surface of the longitudinal collecting areas to the valves at the end or in
the case of the transverse collecting areas to the various openings communicating
with the collecting pipes or channels and thence through the valves to the chamber.
From the chamber it passes through the outlet pipe and is conducted where
required.
That portion of the surface of the cylinder which is not covered by the filtering
material is kept above the level of the liquid to be filtered and is therefore exposed
to the air. This surface will probably be the whole or part of two or three of the
longitudinal collecting areas. The valve in connection with each of the areas thus
exposed to the air is automatically closed as the cylinder and chamber revolve so
that more or less vacuum may be maintained on the remainder. The same effect is
obtained when the valves and chamber are dispensed with and in place thereof the
collecting pipes are connected to pipes converging to the hollow axle, the openings or
ports in which are controlled by the slide valve previously referred to, or any other
arrangement for effecting a similar result.
As the filtering material leaves the cylinder it is more or less coated with deposit
or matter arrested by filtration except where it has come in contact with the plain
spaces between the longitudinal collecting areas. At these points no filtration can
take place and the material is practically free from deposit. The filtering material
may be led off the cylinder at any desired angle by a roller placed just above, and
so constructed as to only touch those places which are free from deposit. Or in
place of such roller an endless chain may be employed consisting of a series of
strips, rods or bars so arranged as to lead the filtering material onto the cylinder,
travel with it, press it against the plain spaces or ribs, and lead it off at any desired
point and angle.
Dated this 18th day of May 1893.
HARRY CHRISTOPHER ATKINS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Filtering Machine.
I HARRY CHRISTOPHER ATKINS of 27 Agamemnon Road West Hampstead
London N.W. Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained 5
in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists of a cylinder which is hollow, has a solid rim or
periphery and revolves on its longitudinal axis. -

page_text: The periphery is plain for a short distance near each end but the intervening
surface is for the most part covered with grooves or ribs and channels or
projections and depressions so arranged as to divide the periphery into any desired
number of longitudinal collecting areas.
Each longitudinal collecting area is separated from the next by a plain space or
longitudinal rib extending from one plain end of the periphery to the other.
The object is that filtering material which is intended to nearly surround the
cylinder shall rest on the plain ends of the periphery also on the longitudinal ribs
or plain spaces, but within these borders it rests upon an uneven surface that will
allow the liquid after filtering through the filtering material, to travel underneath
it, to any desired point resembling in this respect the arrangement of, and result.
obtained with ordinary filter presses. A similar effect may be obtained in a
variety of ways, for instance having the periphery of the cylinder plain and of
slightly less diameter within the borders just described, but placing wire netting
thereon so that the filtering material rests on the uneven surface of the netting.
In cases where heavy pressure is required or the filtering material is of a frail
description or for other reasons sheets or plates more or less finely perforated may
rest on the grooves or ribs and channels, and within the borders before mentioned,
the whole forming essentially one cylinder with a solid rim or periphery.
Each longitudinal collecting area may discharge at one end through a valve
connected to a chamber. The chamber acts as the receiver for all the valves, and
revolves with the cylinder. Or instead of discharging at one end each longitudinal
collecting area may be sub-divided into any number of transverse collecting areas
which discharge into branches from collecting pipes arranged longitudinally inside
the cylinder. Each collecting pipe is closed at one end, and the opposite end
terminates with a valve connected to the chamber.
Or instead of collecting pipes, channels may be formed against the inside of the
cylinder each communicating with the collecting areas by suitable slots or
openings.
With the exception of collecting pipes or channels, and the chamber at one end,
the cylinder is hollow and may have both ends open. But by closing them it is
buoyant when at work and the requisite power to cause it to revolve is greatly
reduced.
An outlet pipe from the chamber acts as an axle for one end of the cylinder the
opposite end having a separate axle and each revolves on a suitable bearing.
The outlet pipe may either be secured to the chamber and revolve with it or may
be stationary, and passing through a stuffing box form a dip pipe reaching nearly
to the bottom of the inside of the chamber.
Or instead of the collecting pipes or channels being fitted with valves
discharging into a chamber they may be connected to pipes which converge and
discharge into the hollow axle, and the said axle may be fitted with an internal
slide valve.
For this purpose the axle is bored of conical or tapering form, and is fitted with
a skeleton plug or hollow frame the form of which corresponds with the interior
of the axle. The axle revolves but the plug is stationary and may be formed in
Beveral ways to suit different purposes.
For ordinary filtration the large end of the plug is a ring fitting inside the large
end of the axle, the small end is a disc fitting the small end of the axle and these
two are joined by a piece which fits the top of the axle. The object of this is to
control or block off one or more openings or pipes which communicate with one or
more collecting areas at the top of the cylinder where it is not submerged.
For certain purposes it may be desirable to separate the liquid received in the
axle as the cylinder revolves, into separate classes or degrees, the practical result
of which is to obtain different qualities of filtered liquid. For this purpose the
two ends of the plug are solid and they are connected by any desired number of
ribs of the full diameter of the inside of the axle, thus dividing the plug into any
desired number of separate longitudinal compartments.

page_text: A pipe is connected to each compartment and passes along the inside of the
main discharge pipe and terminates at the end or any convenient point. In this
form of plug one compartment may be arranged so as to block off certain openings
at the top in the manner already described if desired.
The cylinder is nearly submerged in a cistern containing the liquid to be filtered.
An endless band of filtering material of about the same width, but greater length
than the circumference is led on to the cylinder near the top, passes round, and is
led off for cleaning purposes, on again approaching the top. The cylinder
revolves slowly, the filtering material travelling with it and filtering while doing
The liquid to be filtered percolates through the filtering material, where it
rests on the collecting areas, but cannot do so where it rests on the plain ends, or
on the longitudinal ribs.
SO.
Underneath the filtering material the filtered liquid passes along the grooves or
uneven surface of the longitudinal collecting areas to the valves at the end, or in
the case of the transverse collecting areas to the various openings communicating
with the collecting pipes or channels, and thence through the valves to the
chamber. From the chamber it passes through the outlet pipe and is conducted
where required.
That portion of the surface of the cylinder which is not covered by the filtering
material is kept above the level of the liquid to be filtered, and is therefore
exposed to the air. This surface will probably be the whole or part of two or
three of the longitudinal collecting areas. The valve in connection with each of
the areas thus exposed to the air is automatically closed as the cylinder and
chamber revolve so that more or less vacuum may be maintained on the remainder.
The same effect is obtained when the valves and chamber are dispensed with and
in place thereof the collecting pipes are connected to pipes converging to the
hollow axle, the openings or ports in which are controlled by the slide valve or
skeleton plug which has been described.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figs. 1, 2, 3 & 4 on Sheet 1 illustrate a filtering machine consisting of a
cylinder having a solid rim or periphery divided into a number of separate
longitudinal collecting areas & fitted with a corresponding number of collecting
pipes with valves discharging into a chamber at one end of the said cylinder.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the cistern containing the filtering machine.
Fig. 2 is is a longitudinal section on line A A in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a cross section on line B B in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a general plan showing the manner in which the periphery is divided
into a series of longitudinal collecting areas.
On Sheet 2, Figs. 5 & 6 show a filtering machine in which the cylinder is of the
same construction but the valves and chamber shown in Fig. 2 are dispensed with,
& in place thereof each collecting pipe converges and is connected to a hollow
axle the interior of which is of conical or tapering form, and fitted with a hollow
frame or skeleton plug of similar form.
Fig. 5 is an elevation on line C C of Fig. 6 & shows the collecting pipes
converging to the hollow axle.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section on line D D Fig. 5 showing the general
arrangement of cylinder collecting pipes hollow axle, skeleton plug & main
discharge pipe.
Figs. 78 & 9 illustrate one form of internal valve or skeleton plug to fit
inside the said axle.
Figs. 10, 11, & 12 illustrate another form of skeleton plug divided into a
series of longitudinal compartments, in order to obtain filtered liquid of different
qualities.
Similar letters of reference denote similar parts throughout the drawings.
Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 show a cylinder a a having a solid rim or periphery which

page_text: is plain for a short distance near each end but the intervening surface a' al is
covered with ribs or grooves & channels so arranged as to divide the surface
into any desired number of longitudinal collecting arcas presenting an uneven
surface for the filtering material to rest upon so that the filtered liquid can travel
underneath it to the openings or outlets a" a". Each longitudinal collecting area
is separated from the next by a plain space or rib a¹¹ a extending longitudinally
from one plain end of the periphery to the other.
Figs. 2, 3, & 4, Sheet 1 show collecting pipes bb arranged inside the cylinder
there being one pipe for each longitudinal collecting area and a branch b' b
attached to each opening or outlet a a". One end of the pipe is closed but the
other terminates with a valve 6" discharging into a receiving chamber c, c,.
formed at or near the end of the cylinder. Each valve is fitted with a
lever By means of this arrangement each valve can be caused to close
automatically just before coming to the top, & open just afterwards as the cylinder
revolves at any desired points by striking against a fixed arm or other suitable
arrangement. Such fixed arm is not shown on the drawings.
The filtered liquid is withdrawn from the chamber c, c, by the pipe d, d, which
passes through the hollow axle e, e, & stuffing box el e¹ & discharges outside the
cistern, The cylinder is caused to revolve by power being imparted to the
spur wheel e, mounted on the back axle d' d'. The axles revolve on bearing
bars ell, el. The usual water level is shown at w, w.
Figs. 5 & 6, Sheet 2 show a cylinder a, a, in every respect similar to that
already described. It is fitted inside with similar collecting pipes b, b, but instead
of terminating with valves discharging into the chamber c, c, each pipe converges.
& is connected to the hollow axle e, e.
The interior of this axle is of conical or tapering form as shown in Fig. 6, for
the purpose of receiving a hollow frame or skeleton plug h of corresponding form,.
and intended to fit therein. This plug is shown in position in Fig. 6, & more fully
in Figs. 7, 8 & 9. Fig. 7 is a front end view, Fig. 8 is a cross section & Fig. 9 is
a longitudinal section. The front end consists of a ring ¹ fitting the large end
of the inside of the axle, the small end is a disc or it may be a ring also. These-
two ends are joined by a piece which fits against the top of the axle & is fully
shown in Figs. 8 and 9. This top piece is intended to close or block off one or
more of the openings at or near the top of the axle & in cross section may be of
any desired length. A rib strengthens the two ends.
Fig. 1 Sheet 1 and Fig. 5 Sheet 2 show a portion of the endless band of filtering
material o, o, nearly surrounding the cylinder a, a. When at work filtering the.
cylinder is always revolving slowly. The filtering material o is led on to the
cylinder by the roll o', travels with it as it revolves & is led off on approaching
the top, as shown by the arrows. The liquid to be filtered is contained in the-
cistern, filters through the material whilst the latter is travelling, leaving the
impurity or deposit on the outside of the material. The material conveys such.
impurity out of the cistern to any convenient receptacle or cleaning apparatus.
The filtered liquid passes along the grooves on the outside surface of the cylinder
to the openings all, a", then into the pipes b, b, is conveyed by these to the
axle e, passes through the skeleton plug h into the main discharge pipe d Fig. 2
ork Fig. 6, & is delivered outside the cistern f.
The branch is extended so as to give the filtered liquid a certain fall, or the
suction pipe of a pump is connected. By either means any desired vacuum can
be obtained & not only is filtration facilitated in several ways but some liquids of
a very clogging nature can be filtered whereas without the aid of a vacuum they
cannot.
The skeleton plug h is held stationary by being secured to one end of the rod l..
The opposite end fits over two studs in the flange & the spring presses the
rod & the plug against the interior of the axle, or as it is commonly expressed,.
keeps it up to its work.
If preferred the discharge pipe k may be connected direct to the front end of

page_text: the plug, and the stuffing box e¹ either retained or dispensed with, but the rod [
would not be required.
.
Figs. 10, 11 & 12, Sheet 2 show the construction of the plug when it is desired
to separate the filtered liquid discharged into the axle e as the cylinder revolves &
obtain separate qualities.
Fig. 10 is a front end view, Fig. 11 a cross section & Fig. 12 a longitudinal
section.
The
The plug m is of conical or tapering form to fit the interior of the axle e.
large end m & small end m" are solid discs joined together by the ribs or
flanges m the number of which is governed by the number of compartments it is
desired to form. In Fig. 11 four compartments are shown & a separate pipe n is
connected to each as shown in Figs. 10 & 12. The four pipes pass along the
main discharge pipe & & terminate at the flange k¹ or in other convenient manner.
Or the main discharge pipe k may be dispensed with. The top compartment may
be open as shown, or closed over like the piece in Figs. 8 & 9 & the corresponding
pipe dispensed with.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;
1. In filtering machinery, a hollow cylinder the rim or periphery of which is
solid & having the outside surface divided into any desired number of separate
areas arranged for the purpose of receiving the filtered liquid & conveying it or
permitting it to travel to certain points openings or channels substantially in the
manner herein described & shown in the accompanying drawings.
2. The general arrangement of collecting pipes or channels inside the said
cylinder for the purpose of receiving the filtered liquid from the outside surface,
& conveying it to a receiving chamber or to a hollow axle.
3. In filtering machinery of the cylindrical type the construction of a receiving
chamber or chambers into which the filtered liquid is discharged through a series
of valves substantially in the manner herein described & shown.
4. In filtering machinery of the cylindrical type, a hollow frame or skeleton plug
of conical or tapering form fitting the interior of a hollow axle, the said axle being
bored of corresponding conical or tapering form for the purpose of receiving the
said skeleton plug, constructed & arranged substantially in the manner herein
described & shown in the accompanying drawings.
5. The general arrangement of a machine constructed substantially in the manner
herein described & shown in the accompanying drawings, whether used for filtering
liquid in the ordinary way or for any analogous purpose such as dealing with waste
or other material for manufacturing purposes &c.
Dated this 19th day of February 1894.
HARRY CHRISTOPHER ATKINS.