Improvements in and relating to Appliances for Elevating and Discharging or Conveying Grain and the like
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 28th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 24th Feb., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
"
'Improvements in and relating to Appliances for Elevating and
Discharging or Conveying Grain and the like”.
We, JOHN HAVILAND, of 2 St. Giles Square, in the Town and County of Northamp-
ton, Solicitor; FREDERICK HENRY HAVILAND, of St. Peters Chambers, Bournemouth,
Hampshire, Solicitor; and JOHN FARMER, of 147 St. Andrews Road, in the County of
the City of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of our invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to improved appliances for elevating and discharging
or conveying grain by pneumatics, and comprises improved means of separating the
dust from the grain, of preventing the latter getting injured, of purifying the air
which has elevated the grain before it gets into air pumps and in pipe and other
fittings connected therewith, all being essentially improvements on our prior Patent
No 2146 of 1898.
In elevating from the hold of a grain barge and discharging into a cargo stean ship,
a machinery barge containing the requisite pneumatic appliances is preferably placed
between the grain barge and the ship. This barge is generally fitted with air pumping
engines connected by pipes to a large receiver or vacuum chamber overhead-some 30
or 50 feet or thereby to suit circumstances-from the water, with grain suction and
discharging pipes in connection with its lower end, the suction pipes being led from
it down to and amongst the grain in the barge for emptying the latter, and the
discharge pipes led to and over the hold of the ship for filling.
The air pumping engines on being set to work cause a partial vacuum in the chamber
and draw into it air and grain up the suction pipes and the grain is discharged from
pocket chambers in a wheel valve into the delivery pipes; while the separated air is
by suction action drawn through the pipes into the water trap purifying vessel, where
it gets cleansed before passing to the pumps..
In the discharging of wheat and barley particularly by our pneumatic grain dis-
charging apparatus complaint has heretofore been made because of the great amount of
dust and light material drawn by the force of the air current through the pipe into the
purifier. We, by our improvements avoid this and only allow a very small proportion
of dust from the grain being discharged to escape into the purifier with the air from
the vacuum tanks and we vary this amount of dust at will. In the case of discharging
maize, where, as a rule it is desired to get rid of the outside coating termed husks
which coines froin it, and which acts in a diliterious manner by heating the cargo if
allowed to get into it we make provision to draw most of this away with the air.

page_text: We find that in order to make a good serviceable elevator, it is requisite to be able
to draw off from the cargo, or retain in it most of the lighter material when desired.
To effect this, we form and fit inside of the vacuum tank under the outside central
suction pipe in connection with suction pipe leading to purifier a conical or other
shaped skeleton box chamber covered over with fine-preferably copper-wire gauze, of
a fineness of mesh such as is used for mosquito netting or finer, the fineness depending
upon the area of gauze netting used, and having a door or doors for cleaning purposes
formed on the under side. We fit into this.central suction pipe a butterfly or other
simple form of valve for opening or closing communication to the gauze chamber.
We also lead another side suction pipe from this central one, and connect it to the
top of vacuum tank communicating with it alone and not with the gauze chamber.
This pipe just above the vacuum tank is also provided with a butterfly valve for
opening or shutting communication between it and the tank.
When it is desired to take the least possible amount of dust and other light material
from the grain being discharged into the vacuum tank the valve in the side suction
pipe is shut and that in the central suction pipe communicating with the gauze
chamber opened, as nothing can pass into the suction pipe and from it to the purifier
without passing through the gauze and the air is filtered from all material larger than
the ganze will pass. In case of the gauze through some cause getting clogged up, we
may fit in one or more doors of metal or other material in the under covers opening
upwards, to allow the air to pass and prevent the gauze being burst in, these doors
acting as safety valves.
When it is desired to draw off from the maize being sucked into vacuum tank
the husky material detached from it, or to take a large quantity of the dust from
say oats or barley, the valve in central suction pipe communicating with the gauze
chamber is shut, and the valve in the separate suction pipe opened. The sharp
suction caused at the mouth of this pipe draws into it readily the husky and
other light material and dust floating in the vacuum tank and conveys it through
the suction pipes down to the purifier. By opening the valve of the central pipe
slightly less strength of suction will be maintained in the side pipe and less light
material drawn in and this can be varied to suit the requirements of each case
as to the amount of cleaning necessary.
Instead of forming a gauze chamber as described we may fit a framing of gauze
at some distance from the top, inside the vacuum tank and hinged, so as preferably
to form two doors. One air suction pipe to purifier would be taken from the top
of vacuum tank and the dust laden air made to pass through the gauze, or when
it was not desired to filter the air the door or doors would be let down when
the air with dust and other light material would pass direct into pipe and on to
purifier.
In order to give more area of gauze, the framings may be formed to dip down for a
considerable distance inside of the vacuum tank.
The revolving wheel valve consists of a cylinder with closed ends having in its
body say six or eight or other number of receptacles or pockets formed by radial
or curved vanes, and having spiral or other cushioning springs under the bearings
of its spindle.
❤
When discharging barley and oats containing much dust and light material we
have experienced difficulty at times in its being prevented falling into the buckets
of the wheel valve and accumulating in the vacuum tank owing to these heing
filled with air at the pressure of the atmosphere. To obviate this, we make a
communication with the 'buckets of the wheel valve and the higher part of the
vacuum tank considerably above where the grain is delivered in-by means of a
pipe fitted to the cradle seat of wheel valve so that as each bucket passes the open
mouth of this pipe, before it has come under the grain opening in the vacuum tank
the air is extracted from it and pressure equalized to that of the vacuum tank. The
incoming grain thus falls by gravity easily into each bucket without being shot up
into the vacuum tank as when this pipe is not fitted through atmospheric air being
let into the partial vacuum.

page_text: In discharging maize however owing to the small amount of dust it contains and
to its form, the want of this pipe is not so much felt, and where the husks extracted
from the maize is required to be drawn away, in order to have the best winnowing
effect we restore the conditions the same as before the pipe was fitted, and allow the
atmospheric air from each bucket as it comes under the grain opening in the vacuum
tank to blow through the grain. This we accomplish by fitting a cock or valve to
the pipe between the wheel valve and vacuum tank and closing it when this condition
is desired. Or instead of a pipe a partition may be fitted to the side of hopper to
give a longitudinal opening inside hopper the mouth of opening being above level of
inlet of grain.
In order the more perfectly to prevent the breakage of grain by shearing between
the vanes of wheel valve and hopper, we fix on the under port of our protector plate,
and running the length of buckets, a strip of india rubber say about or of an
inch thick or thereby which rubs on the top of vanes and prevents grain passing.
The rubber also yields should any grain get between it and the vanes and thus prevents
.breakage.
In order to allow of the waste material caught in the air purifier located between
vacuum chamber and air pump being discharged without trouble we connect rigidly
a pipe or pipes to the underside of discharge valve and lead same to ship's side. On
opening the valve the overhead pressure of water drives the mass at bottom freely
out. As previously arranged there was much trouble caused by the thick material
not running freely away owing to the want of this connection.
In order to keep the water in purifier from freezing and the discharge valve getting
jammed by ice we now fit a steam pipe to under side of purifier, with regulating valve
and let in as much steam as necessary to keep the water from freezing and we also
take a connection from this steam pipe and lead it to the under side of discharge
valve with a regulating cock fitted on and allow as much steain as necessary to pass
to keep valve and delivery pipes free from ice.
To prevent the impure water from purifier being drawn up mechanically by the
air passing through it to the suction pumps, we fit under the suction pipes in the
vacuum chamber of the purifier a baffle plate or board and we also to prevent
the water by its surging, through the action of pumps, from being drawn up the
pipes leading from vacuum tanks to purifier also put baffle plates under them...
For the purpose of ascertaining without. doubt the exact position of the water
inside the purifier we fit in preferably four, large sight glasses of 6 or 8 inches
diameter or long rectangular glasses opposite each other on the outside annular belt
of purifier.
:.
We fill the purifier by pump from the bilge, or from any other convenient source,
or we may place the purifier under the water level of the barge, and allow it to be.
filled to its proper level by connecting it to side of barge by a pipe with regulating
valve. and the sludge and dirty water would be thrown overboard at convenient times
by a centrifugal or other pump, or we may allow a certain quantity of water as
found most suitable to enter the purifier continuously. and allow a common pump
to draw the amount away continuously. Glass gauges would be fitted to show the
level of water in purifier and sufficient manhole doors provided.
We may supply the purifier with water direct from the condenser of engine and
have an ever flow fixed to outside. of purifier vessel, to maintain the water at its
proper, level, the overflow pipe, would, need to be sufficiently long, and sealed
amongst the water outside, to maintain the desired vacuum, or if the purifier was
placed low down in the barge, the circulating water might be run through it and be
pumped away and discharged overboard after it had passed through purifier.
A modified arrangement of purifier to cleanse the dust. froin, the air, before it
enters the pumps-we make on the " spray" principle consisting in one convenient
form of a long cylindrical or other shaped vessel with one or more diaphragm divisions
perforated with small holes and having fitted to its under side a tail pipe of sufficient.
diameter to allow the incoming water to get freely away and having its end sealed by
carrying it under the lowest level of water outside of barge, and of a sufficient height
r

page_text: to counterbalance the vacuum maintained by the air pumps. A pipe taken from a
little under the perforated diaphragm is led to the air pump and a pipe, fitted to the
cylindrical vessel considerably lower down coming from the vacuuni tank overhead,
containing the dust laden air. We by one method force the water from the condenser
of engine up to an air tight space above the top diaphragm in vessel and allow it to
fall through the perforations, in the diaphragm. A copious supply of water
descending in the form of spray meets the dust laden air as it ascends to the suction
pipe leading to air pump and washes the impurities well out of it, which are discharged
through the tail pipe. Copper, gauze, or other material may be inserted inside of
the cylindrical vessel for the purpose of breaking up the water and mingling the air
'freely with it.
By another arrangement of air purifier we trap most of the dust contained in the
'air by causing to pass through revolving wet circular screens of preferably 'fine
copper gauze wire working up to fully half their diameter in water, contained in an
air tight case and fixed to circular frames and made close fitting to the circumference
of the screens above the surface of the water but with space at back and front and
'under to allow room for the air and the dust from the air.
A cover is placed in
front of case for the purpose of putting in and taking out the screens and sufficient
doors are provided to allow for the gauze being cleaned or repaired.
•
י
;
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The air suction pipe from the vacuum tank is led and fitted to the front side of
case and the air suction pipe to air pump from back. When this purifier is placed
low down in the barge the water may be let into it through a pipe from side of barge,
the entrance water regulated by a ball valve contained in a air tight cistern
communicating with the main case. For the discharge of the purifying water
contained in the case we fit a pipe to its under or lowest point and connect this to
a common force pump with the discharge leading overboard.
..
Upon the engines being started to work the air pumps-for the purpose of making
vacuum in the overhead tanks to lift the grain-motion is communicated to the
spindle of purifier on which, are fitted the gauze screens, these on being revolved
amongst the water are moistened all over their surface and the dust from the air-
being drawn by the pumps from the vacuum tank-is mostly caught on its passage
through the meshes of the wet screens and is washed off the gauze and deposited
amongst the water in the case as the screens revolve.
The discharge pump for the purifying water may be kept working slowly
continuously, the ball valve regulating the supply of inlet water to maintain the
proper level or the pump may be worked intermittently. This arrangement of ball
valve may be applied to the other forms of purifiers if desired.
Brushes may be fixed inside of the case to clean the dust off the screens as they
revolve, and instead of gauze screens brushes or any other fibrous material may be
used which will allow of the passage of air through, for instance, fine thread.
Hempy or cord may be woven, or simply strung across the face of the revolving
frame or frames, or instead, louvre board openings may be formed and fixed in any
.convenient manner to the revolving circular frames and these be made of wood, iron
or other material, or simple baffle boards or plates may be employed and fitted in the
frame to cause the dust laden air to take a zig zag course on its passage through and
by its impinging against them so deposit its dust on the wet surfaces.
We may use any number of such screens in a case..
We make an improved india rubber and canvas combined metal lined flexible
pipe for fitting at necessary places in the range of grain suction pipes placed between
the barge or lighter having grain to be discharged and the vacuum tank in the
machinery barge overhead, or for other granular material passing through.
When bends are formed on these pipes suitable to the varying. positions and
conditions necessary in grain discharging, the internal liners at the bent parts
rapidly wear out, and our object is as well as making a flexible pipe-to make one
so that ready access can be had to it internally for the purpose of repair of the
metallic lining. Also to fix the liners in the pipe in such a manner that there shal
-be no obstruction of bolt or- rivet heads inside to cause damage to the grain on its

page_text: J
passage through. To maintain the relative positions of the liners to each other, so
that upon the pipe being bent an overlap between the liners will always be
maintained and thus prevent an opening where the grain, could rush through and
injure the pipe outside, and further, to fix the liners in such manner that each will be
allowed to be turned on its own axis independent of its neighbour, for the purpose,
when they get worn, of exposing new surfuces to the scouring action of the grain at
the greatest circle of the bend.
We have constructed india rubber 'and canvas combined flexible pipes lined with
metallic liners or ferrules for elevating grain under the patent of Brock, MeAra
Walker and others No. 14119 and dated 18th October 1887, the metal liners being
rounded or splayed out at mouth and tapering at the other end, the tapering end of
one liner entering the widened out mouth of the other, and so forming an overlapping
joint to prevent any opening being made between them upon the pipe being bent.
Under this patent, canvas with, coatings of india rubber were cemented to the
metallic liners, but there was no proper method for removing or altering the fixed
positions of any liner in the pipe, or for substituting new ones for those worn.
We by our improvements remedy this defect in the patent referred to in the
following manner. We take any form of metallic-or other hard substance-liner for
the pipe, These, may be part parallel or tapering having a splayed out mouth, or the
mouth may be bell shaped or inay form a curve from top to bottom, They may, be
conoids or formed without, any tapering ends at all, both being parallel, and the
slightly larger diameter of one end run into the smaller diameter of the other by an
ogee curve, or this curve may start from each end of the liner, or the two parallel
ends of different diameters may be joined straight, instead of by curve, or cones may
be employed.
In employing any such liners as say the first, we form one or more, beads or pro-
jections preferably at the widened or splayed out ends, by turning over the thin
metal of which they are composed by rolls or otherwise, or we may braze on external
wire or wires instead, for the purpose of indenting into the rubberised canvas cover or
pipe which is built round them, or they may have the splayed out ends; sufficiently
large to answer for this purpose.
{
.
We place the requisite number of liners so formed to make up the length of pipe
desired along with the two end flanged socket or other connections at their respec-
tive distances apart, after the method described in the patent referred to, but instead
of solutioning the outer cover to the liners, we French chalk' them or adopt any of the
other methods well known to india rubber manufacturers to prevent adhesion between
the rubberised canvas and the metal liners. We roll this canvas round the liners and
socket connections till the thickness of pipe desired is obtained perhaps 3/16ths or
inch and we pass round pipe so formed another ply of canvas running the length of
pipe, but only solutioned about half way round, the remaining cloth of the ply being
folded double from the parts of adhésion o on each side, and those double loose flaps
made of breadth so they will not meet on the circumference of the pipe by say half
inch or so, to leave a little room for draw. These loose flaps may be further strength-
ened by additional plies of cloth being cemented on if desired, in order to make them
sufficiently strong to hold eyelets. and withstand lacing for purpose as hereafter
mentioned...
'
After the pipe so formed is vulcanised in the usual manner it is split or opened up
from end to end by cutting with a knife, the split or division being preferably made
say one inch or thereby beyond where the outside ply is united to the body on either
side.
:
The metallic liners and end connecting couplings inay then be taken out upon the
pipe being folded back...
1
Two tongue pieces of rubberised cloth or rubber, say about four inches wide or
thereby and running. the length of pipe are now solutioned to it. on each side of the
division and hang down loose for about three inches or so. Eyelets are fitted into
each of the flaps as already mentioned and pretty closely pitched for making a
close lacing. The liners and coupling ends are now: put into their respective places

page_text: their beads or projecting ports fitting easily into the corresponding grooves or
indentations formed in the outer pipe.
In order to form an air tight joint at the split or division of pipe the two tongue
pieces are folded up in two or more folds, laid against pipe over the joint and covered
over by the two flaps which are now laced up tightly, thus closing the pipe at joint.
The lacing may be in sections or continuous, and the laces may be of hempen cor.
or leather, or clasps such as used for gloves, shoes or braces or other leather or belt
fastening may be used and the lacing preferably should be quite to the one side and
clear of the tongue piece to prevent it being abraded by the lacing material.
Instead of merely folding up the tongue pieces as mentioned-for greater security
as to air tightness--they may be slightly solutioned together from end to end but in
such a manner as to be easily opened out when desired.
One or two usual fixing glands at each end fix the socket connections and pipe
together, or they may be wired on in usual manner and small bolts with sunk heads
may be passed through metal of socket and pipe for greater security of fixing if
desired. The pipe is now ready for use both for vacuum and pressure.
In some cases, this pipe may not be split open from end to end, but be left whole
over the end socket connections where the fixing glands go on but in every case it
should be opened up so far as allow of the liners being easily taken out and put in.
The outside ply of cloth on which are formed the flaps may be made double or of
any strength desired and instead of eyelets for the lacing, cords may be put round the
outside of this outer covering and fastened by solutioning strips over them or other-
wise, and each cord tied. This covering if desired may not be coated with rubber, but
simply be of strong canvas, and preferably made to overlap at the joint.
In order to get at any part of pipe to repair, or to turn round any of the liners.
The lacing or other fastening-is simply undone at the part wished to be got at.
One tongue piece may be used instead of two and solutioned over the joint-or
not. Also the pipe may be drawn together by lacing or other fastening at the
joint and a tongue of rubber-coated canvas or rubber, may be rigidly solutioned to
the outer wall of pipe and the tongue solutioned to other side with the lacing under
it. An outer covering may be laced over for protection, or a complete pipe made of
thin rubberised canvas or rubber (uot jointed or laced up) may be drawn over the
inner split pipe to cover the joint instead of tongue pieces, or rubber "stockings
overlapping one another may be used, two or more in the length of a pipe, to be
easily drawn back to allow access to certain parts-or the split pipe may simply
be drawn closely together by straps or cords and kept air tight as described above.
"
In the case where a pipe is formed with our new liners and the end couplings acting
as the mandrel and where such a pipe is used before being cut open-upon the liners
getting worn the pipe would be cut up longitudinally and made air tight by any of
the before mentioned methods or it might be laced at the division or split, and
another cover put over it and laced diametrically opposite, this outer covering fitting
the contour of inner pipe.
In some cases where it is desired to have a pipe which will bend very easily and to
a small radius, it may be requisite to prevent the covering from pressing against the
inside liners, except at the beads or projections which hold them in their place. In
such we make a separate mandrel to allow for this and form it a little larger in
diameter than the liners at place where no contact is wanted.
In making quantities of such piping a cheap and expeditious method of manufacture
is as follows:-
"
First as to the liners. Should a very light pipe be wanted-say of 7 inches
diameter we take a parallel strip of steel-18 or 20 wire gauge-about 22 inches
long by 3 inches broad (but these sizes may be varied) we turn it round and braze
it in the usual manner forming a parallel ring 7 inches diameter. We then with a
eress block by hydraulic pressure or otherwise splay out one of the ends, or bell
mouth it for some distance down, about 1/8 inch wider than the parallel part, all
round at the mouth. The cress block also turns back slightly the top edge of this
splayed mouth to form an abutment (if a bead is not rolled on) for a wire bead

page_text: of 3/16 or inch diameter lying into. We prefer to galvanize the whole though this
is not absolutely necessary. By this method.we get all our liners. interchangeable
and of strong construction..
Second as to the covering or pipe surrounding liners..
Instead of building the rubberised canvas round the liners, they acting as mandrel,
or on a separate mandrel as described an 1 cutting it up, we form the usual rubber
innufacturers hollow steam. vulcanising plates, made of a length to suit the longest
pipe desired and breadth equal to its circumference we plane out semicircular cavities
on the top of this plate, running across, corresponding to the beads or projections on
the liners and end connections plus the thickness of the wall of pipe. On the top
plate we form convexities on under side. the size. of beads or projections. on the liners
and end connections which fit over the semicircular cavities, of the under plate. The
necessary plies of rubberised canvas, are put in between the two plates and pressed
together, with screw or hydraulic pressure, then vulcanised if desired by steam being
let into the hollow plates in usual manner. The cover so formed is then cut to exact
breadth wanted to suit circumference of pipe and tongues and flaps—ɔr other jointing
arrangement fixed as heretofore described..
The internal liners by another nodification may be fixed to the divided covering.
or pipe by bolts passing through then with washers and nuts outside, instead of by
beads and corrugations, the liners being indented inside with counter-sunk recesses
to receive the bolt heads which will be flush so as to form no obstruction. In a pipe.
formed in this manner the tongue piece and flaps would require to be kept clear of
the bolts to prevent them being cut.
Instead of making the cavities in the rubberised pipe we may form the convex
part there and make the.corresponding.concavities in the splayed out ends of the
liners by the usual sheet iron workers rolls-or by hand-for fixing then in their.
position in pipe. :
By another modification, instead of forming wire beads round the liners, we may
cress out one or more small semicircular, conical or other shaped projections preferably
at their widened ends, for the purpose of fixing their relative positions to each other in
the covering, or pipe which we build over them, or if the pipe is formed from the
flat sheet of rubberised cloth made by the. indiarubber inanufacturers hollow
vulcanizing plates as mentioned, the liners may be fixed at their relative distances
apart by one or more small countersunk headed bolts, and to keep the liners well
fixed in their places of a sufficient number or strength of such is not employed we
may solution them to the pipes as described in the patent of Brock and others
herein before referred to. We may not vulcanise these pipes or covers and
appurtenances.
411
อ!
We form the necessary flaps for lacing the pipe together, as well as the tongue
piece which we solution wholly round. the pipe from the eyelets of one flap and
passing round the pipe and over the other flip by a few inches, the tongue piece thus
forming more than the circumference of pipe, or having an overlap.
We make this tongue piece an inch or more longer at each end than the cover or
pipe and we fix on a soft indiarubber band the diameter of the pipe-by an inch
broad or so-round each of the bodies of the end flanged connections, close, up to the
ends of cover or pipe. Upon the flaps being laced up, we solution the tongue
piece to the body from end to end, covering the flaps and their lacings over, and the
ends of the tongue piece now encircling the indiarubber bands we tie tightly with
cord, wire, or other fastening and thus make the body of pipe perfectly air tight.
The glands for fixing pipe to end connections are fitted as usual.
The solutioning of the liners to the cover or pipe, and of the tongue piece, should
be no more than will cause them to adhere in such a manner as not to give way upon
the bending of the pipe but allow of their being. easily parted when desired for
repairs..
By another modification we may solution the liners to the cover or pipe or fasten them
by any of the other methods described and do away with the Haps, only using the tongue
pieces solutioned to the longitudinally divided cover and passing it round more than

page_text: the complete circumference for a solutioning overlap. The cover may be drawn as
close as possible at the longitudinal joint by tying pieces of tape round the body at
distances apart and solutioning the tongue piece over them. This tongue piece
would project over the main cover or pipe at ends for jointing purposes as already
explained.
By another modification we may construct the flaps in such a manner as to do away
with the tongue piece by fixing to the outside of the longitudinally divided pipe com-
mencing at the joint, one ply or more of rubberised cloth and carrying it round past
the full circumference at joint to about an angle of 45 degrees or more beyond, and
forming holes for, eyelets or clasps for the purpose of lacing or fixing to another flap
solutioned at a suitable distance back on the flap cover. This lacing may stop short
inside of the main fixing pipe glands, but the flaps themselves would be allowed to.
project over the ends of cover or pipe as before mentioned for jointing
purposes.
The inside of flap at the part beyond the longitudinal joint would be covered with
indiarubber solution and laced up. The flap would be caused to adhere to the main
body under by being pressed down with the usual indiarubber manufacturer's roller
or by hand.
It may be here noted that in these modification's the projections of the flaps and
tongues beyond the ends of cover or pipe may be dispensed with, provided the cover
is drawn up edge to edge by the lacing or otherwise, to make a close butt joint at the
ends of pipes where glands go on, or by filling in pieces of indiarubber to close the
openings at joints if they cannot be drawn up, or by springing broad bands of india-
rubber over the bodies of the end couplings and drawing them partly over
the ends of pipe and preferably under the fixing glands covering up the joints on
ends.
We find it however a more practical and a safer method to allow the flaps or
tongue pieces to overlap and be fixed as described to ensure air tightness.
Dated the 2nd day of March 1899.
Improvements in and relating to Appliances for Elevating and
Discharging or Conveying Grain and the like".
We, JOHN HAVILAND, of 2 St. Giles Square, in the Town and County of
Northampton, Solicitor; FREDERICK HENRY HAVILAND, of St. Peters Chambers,
Bournemouth, Hampshire, Solicitor; and JOHN FARMER, of 147 St. Andrews Road,
in the County of the City of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of our
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement that is to say:-
This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to appliances for
elevating and discharging or conveying 'grain and the like, and comprises improved
means of separating the dust from the grain, of preventing the latter getting injured,
of purifying the air which has elevated the grain before it gets into air pumps,
and in pipe and other fittings connected therewith, being essentially improvements
on our prior Patent No. 2,146 of 1898.
And in order that our said invention and the manner of carrying same into practice
may be properly. understood, we have hereunto appended eight sheets of explanatory

page_text: drawings in which the same reference letters are used to indicate like parts in all the
figures where shown.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation similar to that shown on Figure 1 of the
drawings of our aforesaid patent showing our complete appliances in operation.
Figure 2, is a sectional elevation of the chamber into which the grain is elevated
and the dust laden air separated therefrom before the grain is discharged into the
delivery pipe.
Figure 3, is a detached longitudinal section of the lower part of chamber and wheel
delivery valve, and Figure 4, a detached view showing the spring bearings for spindle
of wheel valve, these two figures being exactly the same as shown in Figures 2 and 6:
of the drawings of our aforesaid patent..
Figures 5 and 6 are transverse sections of the wheel valve and hopper showing
modified fittings, and Figure 7 is a detached view of the upper part of air separating
chamber showing a modified form of dust.
Figures 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are sectional views illustrating modified forms of
the water trapping vessel and fittings for purifying the air, and
Figures 13 to 42 are sectional views showing modified arrangements of the
conveying pipes and their fittings.
Referring to these drawings:
In elevating as shown in Figure 1. from the hold of a grain barge A and discharging
into a cargo steamship B, a machinery barge C containing the requisite pneumatic.
appliances is preferably placed between the grain barge A and the ship B. This
barge C is fitted with air pumping engines D connected by suction pipes H¹ H¹ to
vacuum chamber H on top of air purifier G and by pipes to a large receiver or
vacuum chamber E overhead, some 30 or 50 feet or thereby-to suit circumstances.
from the water, with grain suction and discharging pipes b b and c respectively in
connection with its lower end, the suction pipes b b being led from it down to and
amongst the grain in the barge A for emptying the latter, and the discharge pipes c
led to and over the hold of the ship B for filling.
The air pumping engines D on being set to work cause a partial vacuum in the
chamber E and draw into it air and grain up the suction pipes 6 b₁: and the grain is
discharged from pocket chambers in wheel valve F, fitted to under side of vacuum
chamber E into shoot c¹ and into the delivery pipes c while the separated air is by
suction action drawn through the pipes a into the water trap purifying vessel G, where
it gets cleansed before passing to the pumps D.
To prevent more than desired of the dust and light material being drawn from the
grain cargo by the vacuum, through the pipes a into the air purifier G, we make
suitable arrangements for this, whereby we can also vary the quantity drawn away at
will. In the case of discharging maize, where it is generally desired to get rid of the
outside fluffy husk that comes from it, provision is made to draw most of this away
and deposit it in the purifier G.
"
We find that, in order to make a good serviceable elevator, it is requisite to
be able to draw off from the cargo, or retain in it most of the lighter material when
desired.
To effect this, we form and fit inside of the vacuum tank E under the outside
central suction pipe E¹ in connection with suction pipe a leading to purifier G as
shown in Figure 2 a conical or other shaped skeleton box chamber E² covered over
with fine-preferably copper-wire gauze of a fineness of mesh such as is used for
mosquito netting or finer-the fineness depending upon the area of gauze netting
used-and.having a door or doors: E³ for cleaning purposes formed on the under side.
We fit into this central suction pipe, a butterfly or other simple form of valve e for
opening or closing communication to the gauze chamber E². We also lead another
side suction pipe e¹ from this central one, and connect it to the top of vacuum tank E
communicating with it alone and not with the gauze chamber.
This pipe c¹just above the vacuum tank is also provided with a butterfly valve 2
for opening or shutting communication between it and the tank E.
When it is desired to take the least possible amount of dust and other light
B

page_text: •
material from the grain being drawn into the vacuum tank E the valve e² in the side
suction pipe e¹ is shut and valve e in the central suction pipe E¹ communicating with.
the gauze chamber E2 opened as nothing can pass into the suction pipe ET and from
it to the purifier G without passing through the gauze E2 the air is thereby filtered
from all material larger than the gauze will pass. In case of the gauze through some
cause getting clogged up we may fit in one or more doors of metal or other material:
in the under covers E3 opening upwards, to allow the air to pass and prevent the
gauze being burst in, these doors acting as safety valves.
'
When it is desired to draw off from the maize being sucked into vacuum tank E
the husky material detached from it or to take a large quantity of the dust from say
oats or barley the valve e in central suction pipe E communicating with the gauze.
chamber E2 is shut, and the valve e in the side suction pipe e¹ opened. The sharp
suction caused at the mouth of this.pipe draws into it readily the husky and other
light material and dust floating in the vacuum tank E and conveys it through the
suction pipes el and a down to purifier. G. By opening the valve e of the central
pipe E slightly, less strength of suction will be maintained in the side pipe e¹ and
less light material drawn in and this can be varied to suit the requirements of each
ease as to the amount of cleaning necessary.
Instead of forming a gauze chamber as described and shown in Figure 2 we may as
shown in Figure 7 fit a framing of gauze E2 at some distance from the top, inside the
vacuum tank E and hinged, so as preferably to form two doors E3. One air suction
pipe to purifier would be taken either from the top as a. or from the side as u¹ of
vacuum tank E and the dust laden air made to pass through the gauze E² or when it
was not desired to filter the air the' doors E³ would be let down when the air with
dust and other light material would pass direct into pipe and on to purifier G.
1
In order to give more area of gauze the framings may be formed to dip down for a
considerable distance inside of the vacuum tank E.
"
The revolving wheel valve F, Figures 2 to 6, for delivering the grain from the vacuum
chamber E into the shoot C¹ to the discharge pipes c is driven in any convenient
manner and consists of a series of preferably six or more radial or curved vanes f¹
which form receptacles or buckets f for the grain and which are closed at each end
and fitted with central spindle F³.
The wheel valve F works in a cradle or bearing F* fixed to under side of hopper E³,
below vacuum tank E, which has fitted to it the grain inlet branches 62. The cradle
we make one half or less the diameter of wheel valve which prevents jamming
through dust from the grain getting in between. The wheel valve is kept close up
against the cradle F4 by spiral or other cushioning springs g or other equivalents
placed under the bearings of the wheel valve spindle F3 and carried by side
brackets F
When discharging barley and oats containing much dust and light material we have
experienced difficulty at times when experimenting in its being prevented falling
into the buckets f of the wheel valve F and accumulating in the vacuum tank E
owing to the buckets f being filled with air. at the pressure of the atmosphere. To
obviate this, we make a communication with the buckets f of the wheel valve through
the cradle and the higher part of the vacuum tank E considerably above where the
grain is delivered in by means of a pipe h located outside the vessel E as shown in
Figure 2 so that as each bucket f passes the open mouth of this pipe h before it has
coine under the grain opening E' in the vacuum tank E the air is extracted from it and
pressure equalized to that of the vacuum tank. The incoming grain thus falls by
gravity easily into each bucket without being shot up into the vacuum tank as-when
the pipe is not fitted through atmospheric air being let into the partial vacuum.
In discharging maize however, owing to the small amount of dust it contains and to
its form, the want of this pipe is not so much felt, and where the husks extracted
from the maize are required to be drawn away-in order to have the best winnowing
effect we restore the conditions the same as before the pipe was fitted, and allow the
atmospheric air from each bucket f as it comes under the grain opening E' in the
vacuum tank E to blow through the grain. This we. accomplish by fitting a cock or

page_text: valve to the pipe h as shown in Figure 2 between the wheel valve F and vacuum
tank E and closing. it when this condition is desired. Or instead of a pipe ha
partition h2 may be fitted inside the tank E as shown in Figure 6 to give a longitudinal
opening inside. vessel, the top of opening being.considerably above level of inlet
of grain.
In order the more perfectly to prevent the breakage of grain by shearing between
the vanes fof wheel valve F and edge of hopper part of cradle F4 we fix a protector
plate within the outlet part E of cradle F and on the lower end of this plate ³
and running the length of buckets f we may fix a strip of indiarubber has shown in
Figure 5 say about 4 or 3 of an inch thick or thereby which rubs on the top of
vanes f¹ and prevents grain passing. The rubber h* also yields should any grain get
between it and the vanes and thus prevents breakage.
Figure 8, shows one modification of our dust water trap or air purifier G, somewhat
similar to that already described in our previous patents mentioned, but which we
have now improved by the addition of baffles to prevent the dirty water of the purifier
being carried by the air into the pumps and also by the addition of heating arrange:
ments to prevent the purifying water within the vessel from getting frozen in cold
climates. Fron experience we have found these additions of much importance and
we shall explain this complete purifier as we now propose to make it. The purifier G,
is placed (as shown in Figure 1) between the vacuum tank E and the air pumping
engines D, in which a closed vacuum chamber H, open on the under side is let into
the main tapering purifier vessel G and sealed with water by a few. inches. Suction
pipes H, H, are fitted to top of vacuum chamber H on top of purifier G and con'-
nected to the air pumps D. Suction pipes a a are connected to hopper F in
connection with the vacuum tank E and carried down and fitted to top of annular
belt or casing which is formed on top of purifier G and which stands some distance
up from the purifier and sealing water to form an air space. Where two vacuum:
tanks E are in operation and connected by suction pipes a a the suction pipes are
each provided with butterfly or other simple form of valve a' for the purpose of.
shutting off either vacuum tank E when desired.
Upon air pumping engines D being put in operation a partial vacuum of 5 lbs or
thereby to the square inch is made in the vacuum chamber H in connection with
purifier G through the pipes H¹ H¹ and in the overhead vacuum tank E through the
connecting pipes a a.
The dust laden air is drawn down the pipes a a and through the seal of water in
the purifier G, which traps the dust, the purified air passing on to the air pumps D
through the vacuum chamber H and pipes H' H¹.
j
1
The purifying water containing the trapped dust and other material is let off as
desired through pipe G fitted to the under side of discharge valve G² and fitted to
side of barge.
:
We keep the water from freezing in the purifier and the discharge valve from
getting jammed by ice in cold climates, by admitting steam to each from steam
pipe G³ and G5 regulated by valves G* and G.
Baffles g and g under the suction pipes H Hand-a a are fitted and in order to
ascertain without doubt the exact position of the water in the purifier G large
glasses g² are fitted on outside of casing.
.
T
We fill the purifier by pump from the bilge, or from any other convenient source
by a pipe connection g³; or we may, place the purifier G under the water level of the
barge as shown in Figure 9, and allow it to be filled to its proper level by connecting
it to side of barge by a pipe I with regulating valve I' and the sludge and dirty water
would be thrown overboard at convenient times by a centrifugal or other pump 12
with pipe connection 1³ or we may allow a certain quantity of water as found most
suitable to enter the purifier continuously and allow a cominon pump to draw the
amount away continuously. Glass gauges g² would be fitted to show the level of
water in purifier and sufficient manhole doors provided..
As shown in Figure 10 we may supply the purifier with water direct from the
condenser of engine D by a pipe J and have an overflow.J! fixed to outside of purifier

page_text: vessel G to maintain the water at its proper level, and the overflow pipe would need
to be sufficiently long, and sealed amongst the water outside; to maintain the desired
vacuum, or if the purifier was placed low down in the barge, the circulating. water
might be run through it and be pumped away and discharged overboard-after it had
passed through purifier.
The purifier shown in this figure is on the spray "principle and consists of a long
cylindrical or other, shaped vessel G with one or more diaphragm divisions
perforated with small holes and. having fitted to its under side the tail pipe J¹ of
sufficient diameter to allow the incoming water to get freely away and having its
end sealed by carrying it well under the level of water outside of barge, and of a
sufficient height to counterbalance the vacuum maintained by the air pumps D. A
pipe J taken from a little under the perforated diaphragm jis led to the air pump D
and a pipe, J³ fitted to the cylindrical vessel G considerably lower down coining from
the vacuum tank E overhead, containing the dust laden air. We by one method
force the water from the condenser of engine D through the pipe J up to an air
tight chamber above the top diaphragm in vessel G and allow it to fall through
the perforations in the diaphragm. A copious supply of water descending in the
form of spray meets the dust laden air as it ascends to the suction pipe J2 leading
to air pump and washes the impurities well out of it, which are discharged through
the tail pipe J. Copper, gauze, or other material may be inserted inside of the
cylindrical vessel for the purpose of breaking up the water and mingling the air freely
with it.
In the arrangement of purifier shown in Figures 11 and 12 we trap most of the
dust contained in the air by causing it to pass through revolving wet circular
screens K of preferably fine copper gauze wire working up to fully half their
diameter in water, contained in an air tight case K and fixed to circular frames K²
and made close fitting to the circumference of the screens K' above the surface of
the water, but with space at back and front and under to allow room for the air
and the dust from the air. A cover K³ is placed in front of case K for the purpose
of putting in and taking out the screens, and sufficient doors are provided to allow for
the gauze being cleaned or repaired.
The air suction pipe a from the vacuum tank E is led and fitted to the front
side of case K. and the air suction pipe H¹ to air. pump D from back. When this
purifier is placed low down in the barge the water may be let into it through a
pipe from side of barge, the entrance water regulated by a ball valve ¹ contained
in an air tight cistern communicating with the main case K. For the discharge
of the purifying water contained in the case we fit a pipe k³ to its under or lowest
point and connect this to a common force pump with the discharge leading by a
pipe overboard.
Upon the engines being started to work the air pumps D, for the purpose of
making vacuum in the overhead tanks to lift the grain, motion is communicated
to the spindle L of purifier on which are fitted the gauze screens K', these on
being revolved amongst the water are moistened all over their surface and the.
dust from the air-being drawn. by the pumps D from the vacuum tank Eis
mostly caught on its passage through the meshes of the wet screens K¹ and is
washed off the gauze and deposited amongst the water in the case as the screens
revolve.
.
事
The discharge, pump for the purifying water may be kept working slowly
continuously, the ball valve k regulating the supply of the inlet water to maintain
the proper level, or the pump may be worked intermittently. This arrangement of
ball valve may be supplied to the other forms of purifiers if desired.
Brushes may be fixed inside of the case to clean the dust off the screens as they
revolve, and instead of gauze screens brush or other fibrous material may be used
which will allow of the passage of air through, for instance, fine thread, hemp or cord
may be woven, or simply strung across the face of the revolving frame or frames, or
instead, louvre board openings may be formed and fixed in any convenient manner
to the revolving, circular frames and these. may be inade of wood, iron, or other

page_text: material, or simple baffle boards or..plates may be employed and fitted in the flame
to cause the dust laden air to take a zig zag course on its passage through and by its
impinging against them so deposit. its dust on the wet surfaces.
We may use any number.of such screens in a case.
::
We make an improved india rubber and canvas combined metal lined flexible. pipe
for. fitting at necessary places as at XX Figure 1, in the range of grain suction
pipes placed between. the barge or lighter having grain to be discharged and the
vacuum tank in the machinery barge overhead, or for other granular. material passing
through.
When bends, are formed on these pipes suitable to the varying positions and
conditions necessary in grain discharging, the internal liners at the bent parts rapidly
wear out, and our object is-as well as inaking a flexible pipe-to make one so that
ready access: can be had to it internally for the purpose of repair of the metallic
lining, also to fix the liners in the pipe in such a manner that there shall be. no.
obstruction of bolt or rivet heads inside to cause damage to the grain on its passage
through. To maintain the relative positions of the liners to each other, so that upon
the pipe being hent an overlap between the liners will always be maintained and thus
prevent an opening where the grain could rush through and injure the pipe outside
and further to fix the liners in such a manner that each will be allowed to be turned
on its own axis independent of its neighbour, for the purpose, when they get worn,
of exposing new surfaces to.the scouring action of the grain at the greatest circle of
the bend:
These. metallic ferrule liners M would be formed of cylindrical shape with tapered
and widened out ends M¹ to embrace each other as shown in Figure 13 and be fitted
with wire rings m brazed or soldered or formed on to the same and galvanised if
desired. The ferrules M would be kept in. connected position by their projections
fitting into corresponding indentations in the rubberised canvas cover or pipe.N
which would be divided or split up longitudinally to allow of the liners: M'being
inserted or withdrawn, or the liners would be fastened to the cover by small bolts
having countersunk heads inside to prevent obstruction.
These liners M may be formed of a straight shape and the ends expanded out to a
taper or curved or bell mouth shape at m which would abut against the canvas cover-
ing and perform the function of the wire m as shown in Figures 15, 19 and 20.or the
liners. M may have parallel ends, the smaller diameter run into the larger by a curvé
or straight as shown by Figures 17 and 29, or they may be in the form of cones as
Figure 21, or of conoidal shape as shown by Figure 16.
As shown particularly in Figures 22 to 27 these liners M would be secured together
by an outer cover of rubberised canvas N, divided longitudinally and having flaps N¹
formed with the cover or laid over it for the purpose of lacing the pipe N-tightly
round the liners, by cords n¹ passing through eyelet holes n and a tongue piece or
strip or strips of rubberised canvas n². shown loose in Figures 22 and 25 would be
folded together over the joint as shown in Figures 23 and 26 to ensure an efficient
joint, or if desired the strips would be solutioned together as well as folded.
In some cases, as shown in Figure 28 an elastic air-tight, tube or cover N would be
formed in one piece and cover the metallic ferrules M, and be formed with indenta-
tions corresponding to those on the ferrulès; and this tube N would in turn be
covered by: an outer laced on cover n³ to give strength, and prevent longitudinal
stretch but in this case tongue pieces would not be required. If desired the cover i
may be placed, next the metal; ferrules, and the elastic cover N be placed on the out-
side.
יו
A tongue piece or strip, of rubberised canvas n³ may have its end nt solutionised over
the laced joint of cover as shown in Figure 30, or the cover N may be surrounded by
a strip n having its tongue end n solutioned; over the joint as shown in Figure 31
and 32, or alternatively, flaps, N. may, form part of the strip 3 and one of these flaps
be solutioned over the joint and then laced to the other flap fixed on to strip as shown
in Figure. 33...
1
In order to make the longitudinal joint of cover N perfectly air tight at ends, should
>

page_text: the laces 2 not draw the cover close, as shown at X Figure 30 to 33, the strip n is
.carried beyond the end of cover N and solutioned froin end to end and fitted tightly
over a band Ns preferably of india rubber encircling the end socket connections M²
Figure 29. The strip ³ is tied tightly over the band N2 with cord or wire N³ or a
light gland may be used.
Figure 34 shows a method of making the ends of cover N air. tight by means of an
overlapping india rubber ring N³ fitting tightly over the end socket connections M
and drawn over the outer diameter of the cover N. Usual fixing glands N+ for hold-
ing the pipe N to the end socket connections are fitted preferably over the rings N³.
The longitudinal joint is shown closed by a strip solutioned the length of the pipe N.
The cover N may be drawn up tight over the liners M by means of tapes. or
bands N².
Figure 35 shows the usual stamp press which may he employed to form the covers N
..such as shown in the formation of pipe Figure 34, or the covers may be built on
round mandrels, or the liners and end socket connections may be made to answer for
this and afterwards split up and taken off. They may be vulcanised. or not.
Figure 36 shows the liner M, before its end is hammered or expanded out by die and
press as shown in Figure 37 and Figure 38 represents it finished and ready for placing
within the cover N after having had the projecting wire or bead brazed or formed on
.it.
Instead of wires m¹ ridges or protecting surfaces m² may be formed on the liners M
to fit into corresponding recesses in the outer cover N as shown in Figures 29 and 30
or convexities m³ may be made in the pipe cover and corresponding concavities in
the liners for holding them in place as shown by Figure 39.
To prevent the open joint of cover N as at X Figure 32 we by another modification
scarf the joint as shown at O Figure 40 allowing a tongue piece the length. of tlie
cover or pipe N to overlap which we solution to it from end to end, or we solution the
joint O as shown by Figure 41 without tongue piece.
In Figure 42 separate rings of indiarubber, steel or other material P are formed to
encircle the beads m or other projections or concavities of the liners M, cut across and
solutioned, riveted or fixed at their proper distances apart in any convenient manner to
a strip of rubberised cloth N, the length of the pipe, but of breadth sufficient to be
wound round the periphery of the liners M inserted within as many times as required
to give sufficient strength. The end of the cloth is then solutioned or otherwise
fastened to the body from end to end and the whole fixed by usual glands N* to end
coupling connections M², the tube being otherwise substantially the same as in
the other figures.
These improvements it will be seen are equally applicable to blast as well as suction
elevators.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
f
First. In a system of elevating and discharging grain and the like the combination
comprising vacuum chamber with dust separating sieve, The latter being made in
the form of a skeleton box chamber covered over with fine gauze netting and having
u door or doors. and with or without purifier between pumps and vacuum
chamber, substantially as set forth.
Second. In a system of elevating and discharging grain and the like the combination
comprising vacuum chamber with rotating wheel valve, with vanes and pockets and
pipe with valve or duct between pockets and upper part of vacuum chamber
substantially as set forth.
Third. In a system of elevating and discharging grain and the like, the particular
arrangements of water traps between the vacuum chamber and the cylinders of

page_text: jections, or indentations, or expanded out ends and covered outside with rubberised
canvas, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying
drawings.
Fifth. In a system of elevating and discharging grain and the like, the combination
comprising flexible piping with ferrules or liners and laced rubberised canvas cover and
joint protecting flaps substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Sixth. In a system of elevating and discharging grain and the like, the combina-
tion comprising flexible, piping with liners and laced or tied on rubberised canvas
cover, joint protecting flaps, and socket connections, and overlapping tongue pieces
and rings, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Seventh. In a system of elevating and discharging grain and the like, the com-
bination comprising flexible piping with internal liners having projections, indenta-
tions or bolts for fixing to the outer wall of rubberised cover or pipe, the pipe being
divided longitudinally its whole length or so far as allows of the taking out and
inserting of the liners, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in
the accompanying drawings.
Eighth. In a system of elevating and discharging grain and the like the com-
Lination comprising flexible piping with internal liners, rubber or flexible stockings
or tubing, and laced on cover, substantially as herein described in reference to
Figure 28 of the accompanying drawings.
Hated the 07.1
1000
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.
96 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. Agents.