CERTAIN APPARATUS AND PROCESSES FOR STORING, CLEANSING, AND PRE- SERVING GRAIN
Year: 1838

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME,. I, LUKE.
HEBERT, of No. 12, Staples Inn, in the City of London, Civil Engineer and
Mechanical Draftsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the Third day of November, in the second year of Her reign, did give and
grant unto me, the said Luke Hebert, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, Her
especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Luke
Hebert, my exors, adñors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said. Luke
Hebert, my exors, admors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Inven-
tion of "CERTAIN APPARATUS AND PROCESSES FOR STORING, CLEANSING, AND PRE-
SERVING GRAIN," which was communicated to me by a certain Foreigner
residing abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I,
the said Luke Hebert, shall cause a particular description of the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as by reference there
unto will more fully appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Luke Hebert, do hereby declare that the following description is a true Specifi-
-cation of the said Invention taken in connection with the annexed Drawings
and references made thereto.
The Invention consists,-
First, in a machine for destroying or removing the insects, vermin, or other
impurities which infest wheat and other grain. And,
Second, in a moveable storehouse, or granary wherein the grain is dried,
stored, and preserved..
The first-mentioned apparatus consists chiefly, as shewn in Figure 1,
Sheet A, of an external cylindrical case adapted to contain steam, and having
an internal concentric cylinder revolving therein upon an axis, into which
internal cylinder the grain to be operated upon is delivered, and from which it is
discharged through the medium of peculiar valves or cocks, so designed as to
prevent the escape of the vapour from the cylinder. The external case
C, C, C, is made of wooden planks supported upon cast-iron rings D, D,
bound firmly together by iron hoops v, v, v, and altogether made sufficiently
strong to resist the pressure of the steam, and the junctures so well closed as
to prevent the escape of the vapour. The internal cylinder is formed of two
half cylinders of wire gauze, the latter being distended over a suitable frame
of wood and cast iron composed of half rings and longitudinal bars that
connect the rings at their peripheries. Figure 4 shows a plan of one of these
half rings, and Figure 5 an edge view of the same; it is made of cast iron,
with a series of holes d, d, into which are driven wooden plugs for receiving
the little nails or tacks. by which the wire gauze is fastened thereto. The
two half rings or semicircles are connected at their extremities by means of
strong wood screws screwed into the longitudinal pieces b, b. The cylinder
B, B, is connected to the axis M, M, by means of cross bars C, C, and is
put in motion by a pulley at X. The axis of the cylinder revolves in plummer
blocks in the middle of the cross bars E (screwed to D, D,) as shewn in
Figures 1 and 7. Figure 6 exhibits an end view of the external case, her-
metically closed by a cast-iron plate H strongly secured thereto by screw bolts
and nuts. On the upper side of the external case, as shewn in Figure 1, is
fixed a thermometer to indicate the temperature, and likewise a guage to
indicate the pressure in the interior of the cylinder. Figure 8 exhibits the
upper end of the cylinder B, B. The grain is introduced into this cylinder by
means of the hopper T and conduit P, and the two valves R and K, and is
extracted by means of the valve R¹ (constructed like that at R), by which the
steam in the cylinder is retained. These valves R, R', are merely cylinders

page_text: .or portions of slightly tapering cones that turn with but little friction in
their caps or bosses t, t, t, as shewn in the section at Figure 3. The deep-
,cavities a, a, a, are made in the valves to receive the corn from above, and as-
the valves turn round the contents of the cavities are discharged into the
conduit P. beneath, to be thereby projected into the upper end of the
cylinder B, B. The valve K is also cylindrical, but the cavities for the
reception of the grain thereon are made less capacious than the others to*
preserve a regular discharge from them. The valves K, R, are driven.
simultaneously by a band or endless chain A passing round the pullies F, F..
The grain which is to be purified being deposited upon the upper end of the
cylinder by the means described, the revolution of the cylinder, together with
its inclined position, soon brings it to the other end; where it falls down the
conduit P¹, and is discharged through the valve R¹, the latter being supposed
to be actuated by a band from the pulleys F, F, or any other convenient
Whilst the grain is in the cylinder it is exposed to the action of.
steam brought on by the conduit Z, provided with a regulating cock.. The
rotation of the cylinder, and the consequent friction of all the parts rubbing
against each other, and the steam penetrating into all the cavities and recesses,
causes the grain to be thoroughly cleansed without injury to the pure grain or
destroying the germinating faculty thereof. The small quantity of vapour
which may condense on the grain and render it damp is of little consequence,
because if it be immediately moved into the movable granary it will be
quickly dried thereon.
means.
The apparatus for storing and preserving the grain is represented entire at
Figure 1, Sheet B, furnished with a centrifugal ventilator. It is supposed to
have a capacity of about three hundred and fifty quarters, but it may of course
be made of any other desirable dimensions according to the extent of the
operations for which it is required. The scale given at the foot of the Drawing
sufficiently indicate the measurements or proportions of the parts. It is prin-
cipally composed of two concentric hollow cylinders, the diameter of the
external cylinder being rather more than four times that of the internal
cylinder, and the interval between those two cylinders is divided longitudinally
by partitions into ten receptacles or bins for holding the corn that is to be
preserved. These two cylinders are formed of small rails or bars of equal
5 breadth, and, between these are placed little pieces of wood of the same thick-
ness in such manner that they will form a symmetrical series of oblong:
apertures (as shewn in Figure 1). These holes are, covered with metallic"
gauze of such a texture as will not permit the grain to pass through, but
admit the passage of the air freely. The partitions are formed of planks glued

page_text: together, and maintained in their position by small beams P, P; and strongly
bolted together, as shewn in Figure 4.
Figure 2 exhibits a plan (or end view) of the circular disk which forms the
ends of the cylinder. It is composed of thin pieces of cast iron fastened
together by bolts and nuts, and in such manner as to be readily taken to
pieces when required. It will be observed in this Figure that there are à
series of light pannels at P, P, which are fixed against the metal frame. In
each of these cast-iron pieces or frames there is a door at B, B, capable of
admitting a man into the interior of the cylinder. By means of iron bolts à
ventilator is fixed at one end of the apparatus upon the flat ring, which unites all
the pieces G, G. This ventilator may be taken off at any time, and put upon other
similar apparatus, as it is not required to be constantly in use. This ventilator,
by extracting the air from the cylinder, causes the external air to force itself
amongst the grain, and as the action of the ventilator is combined with the
rotation of the cylinder every grain is put into motion, and currents of air are
continually flowing over their surfaces, which facilitates the complete drying
and purification. Of course, during this operation, the opening at the other end
of the cylinder is to be closed.
:
Figure 3 represents a vertical section of the cylinder in the middle of
its length, and shows its ten frames of cast iron T, which affords the
means of conferring great strength to the machine, by solidly connecting
its principal component parts, which is effected by screw bolts that pass
through the partitions, and are made fast to the cast-iron ring R, which
is inside the interior cylinder, and is shewn on an enlarged scale in Figure 13.
The frames T also serve to sustain the narrow wooden bars or rails of which
the external cylinder is composed, and to prevent their giving way by the
pressure against the antifriction rollers which run on the outside of the middle
of the cylinder. The ratchet wheel F, shown in this Figure, is composed of
ten pieces of metal, united together by strong bolts, and fixed by means of
wooden wedges upon the external cylinders. This ratchet wheel has a double
row of teeth, as represented on an enlarged scale at Figure 11; it receives its
motion from two palls R, R, which are carried by the antifriction wheels g, g,
and receive an alternating motion from the excentrics 1, 1, annexed to the
axis M. The wheel E is fixed upon the same axis, and is driven by a small
pinion not introduced into the Drawing. Double cranks may be substituted
for the excentrics and antifriction rollers, but I prefer the method here given,
as causing less friction. Figure 14 represents another vertical section of the
appartus, and on a greater scale; by Figure 8 are shown the arched pieces
of cast iron which support the external cylinder, and through which a series of

page_text: hooked bolts (see Figure 10) are passed, and fasten the wooden rails that
compose the cylinder. D, D, in this Figure (see also one separate at Figure 9)
are cast-iron columns or stays to preserve the partitions from yielding by the
pressure of the grain in the several compartments of the cylinder; they are
fixed against the beams P, P, by means of bolts which pass through them and
the partitions. 9, 9, are wooden chocks or filling pieces, which are pressed
firmly against the beams by the wedges c, c, and these parts are stiffened
into the closest contact by bolts which pass through the chocks and are
secured to the ring r, which ring is shown on an enlarged scale at Figure 14.
All the parts represented (including the entire ring) in Figure 4 occur six
times the length of the cylinder, as indicated by the letters A, A, in Figure 1.
The entire cylinder rests and turns upon twelve antifriction rollers, four
being at each end and four in the middle, and the arrangements are such
that, however uneven the surfaces of the discs and the rollers that carry
them round, each roller has to sustain no more weight than the quotient
obtained by the equal division of the aggregate weight that is sustained
by the twelve rollers. Thus, if we suppose a movable granary to contain one
hundred and ninety-two thousand pounds of corn, each of the antifriction
rollers would have just sixteen thousand pounds to support, neither more nor
less. This important advantage is obtained by a mechanical combination
founded upon that peculiar property of fluids by which they transmit precisely
the same degree of pressure to that which they are subjected to. This modé
of support is shown in Figures 1, 3, 6, and 7; it consists in providing
twelve pumps, or hydraulic press cylinders, the pistons of which at their upper
ends branch out into two arms capable of carrying the axes of the antifriction
wheels. The pumps have a pipe of communication, through which the liquid
flows from one to another. Thus h', h2, h3, and h, communicate by means of
the three pipes y, y, y, and the same takes place in h³, h, h', he; but the
four pumps to the right of those only communicate in pairs by two and
two. These may, however, be substituted by four antifriction wheels mounted
on vibrating brackets, like those represented in Figure 12. But when
they are thus disposed, it is obvious that the supports would have to bear
nearly the whole weight occasionally, that is, when irregularities (cavities and
asperities) occur in those parts which roll in contact with the antifriction
rollers. On the contrary, when the hydraulic vessels are employed and the
water has an open communication from one to the other, an equilibrium of
pressure takes place, and the quotient of the total weight that upon an equal
division falls to each roller, each roller will have to sustain. It is proper,
however, to remark, that to attain this
of the pistons must be exactly equal.
result the area of the face of each
The pumps are fixed upon a curved

page_text: wooden platform N, which is secured to a solid foundation of masonry, and
the curve of the platform is such that the longitudinal axis of the pistons of
the pumps shall incline towards the centre of the great cylinder. Around the
masonry are fixed little gutters and channels filled with water and covered with.
oil, or, preferably, with oil alone, to prevent insects on the outside from having
access to the apparatus. If fixed supports be used in place of the hydraulic,
it will be necessary to turn to true circles the entire edges of the discs as well
as of the rollers, and to have a greater number of supports. The pumps
are fixed upon the wooden platform N, N, on a base of such a curve as to
cause the axis of the pistons to incline to the axis of the great cylinder, and
the platform itself is solidly established upon massive masonry. Around this
masonry are fixed little gutters or channels filled with water and covered with
oil, or, preferably, oil alone, to prevent the insects on the outside from obtaining
access to the apparatus.
Figure 5 represents another vertical section of the apparatus through the
ten chambers of the cylinder, shewing that the grain does not fill it entirely,
in order that it may partake of free motion during the revolution. The lines
Q, Q' represent the surface of the grain in the several compartments A, B, C, &c.
of the cylinder, which surfaces form an angle of about twenty-seven degrees
with the horizon, and by the rotation of the cylinder the surfaces of the whole
mass of grain are continually being changed, and the grain is gradually cleansed
by the friction. The various other lines and diagrams introduced into this
Figure relate merely to calculations for finding the centre of gravity of the
mass in each compartment. Although I have shown the cylinder as divided
into ten compartments by means of ten partitions radiating from the centre,
I do not limit myself to any precise number of partitions, as the cylinder
might even be constructed without any, but in that case the object in view
would not be so thoroughly obtained, and greater power would be required
to work the machine. For the better elucidation of the construction of the
machine I subjoin a description of each separate Figure.
Figure 1, front elevation of the cylinder furnished with its ventilator.
Figure 2, end view of the cylinder. Figure 3, vertical section of the cylinder
in the middle of its length. Figure 4, another vertical section of the
cylinder. Figure 5, the same section of the cylinder, shewing the position
which the grain assumes in each compartment. Figure 6, an elevation, vertical
section, and plan of the of the pumps or hydraulic presses which support the
cylinder. Figure 7, a plan showing the arrangement of the supports divided
into series. Figure 8, view of the face and edge of the arched pieces of cast
iron G. Figure 9, the stay by which the pieces P, P, are stiffened. Figure 10,
one of the hooked screw bolts and nuts by which the battens or rails are

page_text: secured to the arched pieces G.
Figure 11, elevation of the driving geer.
Figure 12, swinging brackets for supporting the cylinder in lieu of pumps.
Figure 13, elevation and section of the cast-iron ring R. Figure 14,
elevation and section of the cast-iron ring r.
The same letters indicate the same parts in the different Figures of the
Drawing.
1st. The Cylinder.-A, A, A, external cylinder made of narrow rails or bars-
of wood glued and nailed together. G, G, G, pieces of cast iron forming the end
of the cylinder. B, B, B, wooden doors for affording access into the interior com-
partments of the cylinder. P, P, P, light pannels, which serve to close the space
in the pieces of cast iron G, G. A', A¹, A', small internal cylinder, formed of
pieces in a similar manner to the external cylinder. T, T, T, frames of cast iron.
posited at equal distances from the ends of the cylinder, and forming a solid
support to the structure, to sustain the pressure upon the antifriction rollers in
the middle of the machine. G', G', G', arch pieces of cast iron, designed to:
receive the hooked bolts which hold down the narrow rails or bars of which the
cylinder is formed. D, D, D, small iron columns or stays, which sustain the
partitions and prevent them from bending under the pressure of the grain.
R, R, cast-iron ring, which is placed in the interior of the little cylinder and
serves to adjust in their proper positions the cast-iron frames T, T, T, by
means of bolts adapted thereto. r, r, cast-iron ring, lighter than the pre-
ceding, also serving by means of the bolts to tie the central parts together, as
shewn in Figure 4. The chocks 9, 9, 9, are thereby also made to abut and lock
in with the small beams p, p, p. 9, 9, 9, chocks or filling pieces of hard
wood. c, c, c, little wedges, serving to fix the chocks g, g. p, p, p, small
beams fixed before and behind the partitions, and strongly bolted together.
2d. The Support.-h, h, the barrel of one of the hydraulic presses or
pumps, which may be fixed by bolts on the wooden platform N, N. P¹, the
plunger or ram, the upper end of which is spread out into two branches or
arms, on which the trunnions of the antifriction wheels turn. f. f, f, anti-
friction wheels. y, y, y, conduit pipe, communicating with each pump. z, z, a
foundation of masonry.
3rd. The Driving Geer.-F, ratchet wheel, with a row of teeth on each
side, the central projection being that portion of the wheel which rests and
turns upon the antifriction wheels. Q, Q, strong ratchet pulls, which give
the motion to the ratchet wheel. g', g', antifriction rollers (the trunnions of..
which carry the palls Q, Q. e, e, excentrics, acting.in like manner upon the
axis M, M. M, M, axis, upon which is fixed the wheel E. E, wheel, put
in action by a pinion not shown.
4th. The Ventilator.-), j, cheeks of the ventilator. b, b, strong bolts.
1

page_text: which support and connect the cheeks of the ventilator. c', c', projecting.
circle, which serves to unite the ventilator to the apparatus. i, i, tie rods, for
the better fixing the ventilator. V, V, wings of the ventilator. X, pulley
fixed on the axis, which carries the wings of the ventilator. Each of the ten
longitudinal compartments is furnished with eight small apertures in the
external cylinder for charging the cylinders with grain, and for discharging
the same. These apertures are placed in a line one between each of the
circular frames of the machine, so that the grain may be equally distributed in..
the bins or compartments, and have a small door fitted to each.
. Having now described the construction of the machines, and the processes
employed in their application, I proceed to define my claims to exclusive
privileges therein,-
First, as regards the machine for destroying or removing the insects,
vermin, or other impurities by which grain is infected, I claim the mechanical
arrangement whereby steam is made to operate in a closed vessel upon grain
put in motion in an interior vessel, and also the valve apparatus by which
the grain is received and discharged in measured quantities without material
escape of steam from the vessel containing it.
Second, as regards the moveable granary or storehouse for grain, I claim
the general combination of parts constituting the entire machine, and all
modifications of that combination, as well as of the parts when applied to the
storing and preserving of grain.
In witness whereof, I, the said Luke Hebert, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
Inrolled the Third day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and thirty-nine.