Improvements in Feed Devices for Gas Producers.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Feed Devices for Gas Producers.
I, CARL WILHELM BILDT, Inspector, of Worcester, in the County of
Worcester and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED DEVICES FOR
GAS PRODUCERS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Fig. 1 represents a central, vertical section of the upper part of an ordinary gas
producer with my improved feed device or apparatus combined therewith, the latter
also being shown in section.
Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view to Fig. 1 of the lower part of my improved feed
device, shown upon an enlarged scale, and
Fig. 4 is a plan, also upon an enlarged scale, of the revolving disc of my improved
feed device or apparatus for evenly distributing the coal in the gas producer, as
hereinafter more fully explained.
The object of my invention is to effect a saving in fuel and labour, and also to
reduce the liability to injury of the workmen from escaping gas; and consists of a
feed device or apparatus combined with the top of the gas producer, having a con-
tinuously revolving disc for continuously feeding and evenly distributing the coal in
said gas producer, the device or apparatus also having means whereby the supply
of coal may be regulated, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.
To enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to fully
understand the nature and purpose thereof, I will now proceed to describe it more
in detail.
It is a well-known fact that the more uniform the layer of coal can be kept in a
gas producer the better the result will be.
A common way of running gas producers is to charge the coal by hand through a
hopper. In this way the coal is not evenly distributed over the surface, but falls
more in one place than another, thus forming a layer which increases in thickness
in different places as the coal is continued to be poured in. This causes a variation
in the composition of the gas in the generator in different parts of the same
producer. An excess of carbonic acid is thus produced, which results in a waste
of coal.
Another drawback in charging by hand, aside from the waste of coal, is the
escape
of gas which is very injurious to the workmen :-
The above disadvantages, it is claimed, are removed by my invention.
Referring to the drawings, the part marked A represents the upper part of an
ordinary gas producer. My invention being combined with the top thereof, only,
will be unnecessary to illustrate or describe the other parts of said producer.
it
B is the coal receptacle or receiver arranged and fastened in position, preferably
over the centre of the producer to the cover thereof. It is provided with a covered
inlet B' at the top through which to supply the same with coal, and made open at
the bottom to permit the coal to discharge therefrom, the lower end of said receptacle
being preferably drawn in smaller, as is indicated in Figs. 1 and 3.
To the upper end of the receptacle is secured an upright frame C which carries a
cone pulley D, and also serves as a bearing for the upper end of a vertical shaft E
both being fitted to turn in suitable bearings therein.
The shaft D' of the cone pulley is provided with a worm-gear F, which engages
with a horizontal spur gear G, on shaft E to turn the latter.
Power is transmitted to the cone pulley D through the belt H, cone pulley I, and

page_text: main shaft J, said cone pulley I being secured to said main shaft and the latter
driven by connection with suitable driving mechanism in any well known way.
The spur gear, G, while turning with shaft E also permits said shaft to be moved
up and down freely by forming a spline on one and a groove in the other as is
indicated in Fig. 2. The shaft is also fitted to turn in suitable bearings at the top
and bottom of the coal receptacle B as is indicated in Figs. 1 and 3.
To the lower end of the shaft E is secured a horizontal disc K of peculiar
construction, and by means of which the coal, as it passes out from the receptacle
is caused to be evenly distributed in the producer, as will be more fully described
further on.
Said disc (see Figs. 3 and 4) is preferably made with flat surface a
at the top, with the flaring or fan shaped part extending down and outward
from said horizontal flat part a provided with diverging grooves or corrugations
and graduated in width from a point at each end c c to the wide central portion d;
also having the irregular shaped concave part e extending between the points ce
of the part b, and made widest at the centre e as in the former instance. This
part e being curved in an opposite direction to the part and converging inward
and down under the flat part a towards its centre, as is fully shown in said
Figs. 3 and 4.
By thus constructing the disc it is obvious that as the coal is discharged
thereon from the receptacle B and passes therefrom into the producer, the fan-
shaped part causes said coal to be evenly distributed over the surface of the
burning coal in said producer, in a thin sheet or layer from a line about under
the outer edge of the flat portion a of the disc to the inner side of the producer,
and the converging concave part e distributes it evenly at the centre under
said flat portion a, thereby keeping the whole surface constantly supplied with
fresh fuel of an even thickness, and in consequence maintaining a uniform com-
bustion; which, as will at once be apparent, not only renders the process and
result produced more satisfactory, but also effects a large saving in fuel.
While the producer is in operation, a constant rotary motion is imparted to the
disc through the mechanism previously described, for the purpose of keeping the
coal constantly in motion, and thus maintaining a continual discharge of coal
into said producer. Said revolving motion in connection with the peculiar form of
the disc causing the even distribution of said coal as previously described.
The amount of coal discharged into the producer may be regulated by increasing
or decreasing the speed of the disc, and also by increasing or reducing the distance
between the top of said disc and the bottom of the coal receptacle B, the speed
being regulated by moving the driving belt H on the cone pulleys D, I, or in any
other well known way; and the disc being moved vertically by means of a rope f
fastened to the upper end of shaft E passed over suitable guide pulleys g and
operated by a crank lever h as is indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.
I reserve the right to modify the construction as may be required under different
circumstances coming within the principle of my invention.
As is well known, gas producers charged by hand require fresh coal to be supplied
at certain intervals about ten to twenty minutes; whereas, by the application of
my invention, the coal is continuously fed from a large receptacle which has to be
refilled only about once in three hours. It is, therefore, obvious to those skilled in
the art, that a large saving in labour as well as fuel is effected.
Furthermore, being charged at much longer intervals, less opportunity is afforded
for the escape of gas, thus rendering the attendance upon the producer not only
more comfortable, but much less injurious to the workmen.
By the use of my invention larger gas producers may be employed than when
charged by hand, as the coal may be evenly distributed equally as well over either
a small or a large surface.
I am aware that a mechanical device for separating and distributing the coal as
it is discharged into a furnace is not broadly new, and I therefore limit my invention
to substantially the construction herein set forth and shown.

page_text: 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 1
claim is,
1. In a feed device or apparatus for gas producers, a disc and means for rotating
it, arranged under the coal receptacle and having means for supporting, as well as
for elevating and lowering the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a feed device or apparatus for gas producers, the rotary disc K consisting
of the top, horizontal, flat part a, the convex, fan-shaped part b, and the concave
irregular shaped part e, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The combination with a gas producer, of a feed device or apparatus consisting
of the coal receptacle B, the disc K arranged under the bottom opening of said
receptacle within the producer, means substantially as described for supporting and
imparting rotary motion to said disc, and whereby the disc may be elevated and
lowered, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 16th day
1000
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.