Improvements in Apparatus for Relieving Gas Retorts from Pressure.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Jan., 1838
Specification Accepted, 16th Mar., 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Relieving Gas Retorts from Pressure.
I, TOM SETTLE of the Gas Works, New Mill, near Huddersfield, in the County of
York, Gas Works Manager do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object the construction of apparatus whereby gas retorts
may be wholly or partially relieved from the pressure of gas when carbonizing coal,
at the will of the operator.
In order that the invention may be easily understood drawings are attached hereto
of which the following is a description. Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional elevation of
the hydraulic main, dip pipe and bridge pipe. Fig. 2 is a back sectional elevation of
the hydraulic main and dip pipe, and Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 1 showing a
modification in the arrangement for raising the dip pipe when required. In each of
the views similar letters refer to the same parts.
The apparatus consists of the hydraulic main A upon the top of which is bolted a
chamber B, the lower part of which is annular and capable of containing liquid. To
this chamber is cast the bridge pipe C connecting the chamber B with the ascension
pipe. Within the chamber there is an annular dip pipe D, the outer annulus of the
pipe descending so as to enter the liquid contained in the annuins, or cup part of the
chamber B, while the inner or principal part of the dip pipe descends and enters
the liquid in the hydraulic main sufficiently to form the requisite seal, when working
at a slight pressure, or to such a depth as to efficiently seal the dip when the retort is
open. The dip pipe is suspended by a strap or bridge piece E connected to a slotted
lever F that turns upon an axis or shaft G. This shaft rests at on end in a bearing H,
the other end passes through a stuffing box J and projects beyond it. On the pro-
jecting end there is fixed by a set screw K a lever L, to the extremity of which is
attached a rod or chain that descends to and hangs at the side of the mouthpiece of
the retort.
In Fig. 3 will be soon a modification of the dip lifting appliance. In this case the
rod M. attached to the strap or bridge piece passes through a stuffing box J in the cover
of the chamber B, and may or may not be surmounted by a ball or weight N. The

page_text: dip pipe in this instance is lifted through the agency of a forked lever which has
for its fulcrum a dwarf standard P, the outer extremity of the lever being provided
with a chain as in the previous arrangement.
The action of the apparatus is simple. Liquid is supplied to the cup, and as soon
as the retort is charged and the mouthpiece closed, the chain is drawn down whereupon
the dip pipe is either entirely removed from the liquid in the hydraulic main, so as to
afford an unimpeded flow of gas from the retort to the hydraulic main, or, if desirable,
it may be removed only to such an extent as will enable the operator to work with a
slight seal. It will be observed that the annular cup of the chamber B will be always
supplied with liquid from the condensation of the gas as soon as it has passed beyond
to the bridge pipe. By these means the retort may be in part or entirely relieved from
pressure as found most convenient, and the apparatus may be applied to existing
hydraulic mains.
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
1. Dip-pipes D made as herein described and shown on the drawings Figs. 1, 2
and 3.
2. Chambers B made as herein described and shown on the drawings, and
3. The straps or bridge pieces E, slotted levers F and shafts G in combination with
levers Las herein described and shown on the drawings Figs. 1 and 2.
Dated this 27th day of January 1888.