Apparatus for Charging Coal Gas and other Retorts.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Charging Coal Gas and other Retorts.
SAMUEL JOSEPII INGRAM, Gas Works, Truro, Cornwall, Gas Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Essentially it consists of a drum fixed at or near the centre of an axle or spindle.
At one end of this axle or spindle is fitted a suitable chain wheel protected by
chain guard, worked by a chain while at the other end of this axle or spindle
is fixed a ratchet wheel with pawl. The whole of this lifting gear is suspended to
a travelling carriage which works on a double line of rails in a transverse direction,
which rails in turn rest on another travelling carriage which travels on a double
line of rails in a longitudinal direction. To the before mentioned drum is fixed a
steel wire or other rope to carry the load, fitted in such a way that when the chain
wheel is worked, the drum is made to revolve, the wire rope feeds itself on to the
drum, and the load is lifted, and discharged into the retort.
Dated this 28th day of June 1898.
SAMUEL JOSEPH INGRAM
Apparatus for Charging Coal Gas and other Retorts.
I, SAMUEL JOSEPII INGRAM, of Truro, Cornwall, Gas 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 in and by the following statement:-
The object of this invention is to simplify and expedite the charging of gas and
other retorts, thus saving both time and labor in the operation.
My invention will be better understood, by reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which Fig. 1, (Sheet 1) is a front view; Fig. 2, (Sheet 1) a plan or
top view and Fig. 3 (Sheet 2) a side view of my apparatus. Fig. 4 (Sheet 2) shews
the carrier, (on an enlarged scale) for the scoop Fig. (Sheet 2). Similar letters
refer to like parts in all the figures.
a, is a wire or other suitable rope to the free end of which is attached the
carrier e, the other end being fixed to the drum b, keyed or otherwise affixed to
the spindle or axle c, which also carries the chain wheel d, and the ratchet f,
in which engages the pawl g, to sustain or release the load at will by the aid of
the rod or chain : i, i, is a chain guard.
The foregoing apparatus is mounted on the carriage j, j, j, j, travelling on the
rails k, k, either of iron as shewn in the drawings, or other convenient section.
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page_text: The rails k, k, are mounted on the wheels 1, 1, 1, 1, keyed or otherwise affixed to
axles m, m, and running on the rails n, n, of T or other convenient section, by
means of the chain wheel o, thus enabling one set of apparatus to feed as many
retorts as required. 9, 9, are stops to limit the run of the carriage j, j, j, j,
and r, is a stop to check the rise of the pawl g.
Having now described my invention, I will proceed to explain its action.
The scoop, Fig. 5 (the shape and dimensions of which must be in accordance
with the size and section of the retort) is loaded with sufficient fuel to charge
the retort and balanced in the carrier e. The rope a, is then wound on the
drum b, by the action of the chain wheel d, until the scoop is raised on a level
with the mouth of the retort in which position it is retained by the pawl g
engaging the ratchet f.
On applying sufficient force to the scoop and guiding it at the same time by
the handle, the carriage j, j, j, j, runs along the rails k, k, which should pre-
ferably slope very slightly towards the retort. The impetus thus given to the
loaded scoop is sufficient to drive its entire length into the retort, at the same
time sliding through and out of its carrier c The scoop, thus driven home in
the retort, is inverted by the handle p, when the charge of fuel is evenly deposited
along the retort, after which the scoop is withdrawn, replaced in the carrier e,
and lowered for refilling by releasing the pawl g, from the ratchet f, by means of
the rod or chain h.
By the use of my invention, retorts are charged very expeditiously and the fuel
is more evenly distributed, than by the old method of shovel charging.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
The combination of the chain wheel, drum and ratchet and pawl, with the
carrier and scoop for the purpose of charging gas and other retorts as herein
described and illustrated.
Dated this 13th day of September 1898.
SAMUEL JOSEPH INGRAM,
Applicant.