IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES FOR EXPRESSING THE MORE LIQUID PARTS FROM THE MORE SOLID PARTS OF SEMI-LIQUID MATTERS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Charles Roettger, of No. 36, Finsbury Park
Road, Finsbury Park, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES FOR EXPRESSING THE
MORE LIQUID PARTS FROM THE MORE SOLID PARTS OF SEMI-LIQUID MATTERS.”
Sealed the 30th August 1878, and dated the 7th March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Charles Roettger at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th March 1878.
EDWARD CHARLES ROETTGER, of No. 36, Finsbury Park Road, Finsbury Park,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES
5 FOR EXPRESSING THE MORE LIQUID PARTS FROM THE MORE SOLID PARTS OF SEMI-
LIQUID MATTERS."
My improvements are particularly applicable to arrangements of filtering presses
of the character of those described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to
Edward Thomas Hughes as a communication from Pierre du Rieux and myself,
dated March 2nd, 1867, No. 587, and in the Specification of Letters Patent granted
to Willian Brookes as a communication from Ernest Jules, Jean Baptiste, Desiré
du Rieux, and myself, dated September 8th, 1871, No. 2378, in which the filtration
is effected by passing the semi-liquid matter operated upon either by force of gravity
or under high pressure through filtering media contained in series of narrow
chambers having communication with each other, and from which chambers the
more liquid portion of the matter under operation flows away by suitable taps or
valves into receivers or conduits provided for the purpose; and the object of my
present improvements is, by the more complete compression of the more solid parts,
to effect the more complete separation of the more liquid portion. For this purpose
each of the chambers is provided with a series of rods, and each series is connected
externally to a separate frame capable of being separately operated upon, and each
rod is in length rather more than double that of the distance across its chamber.
One part of each rod is of comparatively small diameter, whilst the other portion
thereof is of increased diameter; the smaller portions of them are capable of sliding

page_text: through holes formed for them in one end of their respective chambers, and the
larger diameter of them is capable of sliding in corresponding holes forined for them
in the opposite edge of their respective chambers.
Each frame is capable of being separately acted upon to effect the endway traverse
of its series of rods in the chamber thereof by rack, pinion, and clutch connection, or
otherwise.
When through the pressure of the supply of material under operation the filtration
appears by the cessation of the outflow to have been as complete as the pressure
employed will effect, I close the inlet passage to these filtering chambers, and I cause
the movement of one or more of the frames with the series of rods so that the
thicker portions of such rods may progressively be forced into the more solid matter
under operation to effect its further compression, and the consequent further
expression therefrom of the more liquid matter, and I proceed in this way until all
the frames of rods, or as many of them as may be thought desirable, have been
operated upon.
When the operation is complete the frames may be acted upon to effect the with-
drawal of the thicker portions of the respective series of rods out of the more solid
residue of matter.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Charles Roettger in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
September 1878.
EDWARD CHARLES ROETTGER, of No. 36, Finsbury Park Road, Finsbury Park,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES
FOR EXPRESSING THE MORE LIQUID PARTS FROM THE MORE SOLID PARTS OF SEMI-
LIQUID MATTERS."
Figures 1 and 2 of the said Drawings represent an ordinary filtering press provided
with apparatus constructed according to my Invention. Figure 1 is a vertical section
taken through the line G, H, Figure 2; and Figure 2 is a side elevation and partial
section through the line A, B, Figure 1.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts when they occur in both the Figures
of the Drawing.
a, b, are the two end plates of the filtering press; c, c, are the grooved or hollow
slabs or plates which between them form the chambers containing the filtering
media by which the filtration is effected. The said slabs or plates are provided with
cocks or taps c¹ for the outflow of the liquid, which runs into the gutter c. The
slabs or plates c are traversed by holes c³, c³, which form a continuous feed channel
for the semi-fluid matter flowing into the press through the channel a¹ in the end
plate a, which channel may be closed or opened by means of a stop-cock or valve
(not shewn in the Drawings).
f.ff, are metal frames in which is received the matter to be operated upon. The
said frames are provided with studs f,, which fit into corresponding recesses in

page_text: the slabs or plates c, c, for the purpose of keeping the said slabs or plates and frames
in close connection, and preverting the said frames from slipping out of position
under a vertical pressure.
The upright &, the bars r, r, the screw w, the fly wheel v, and the base plate t
form the framework of the machine, but as they are well known, being described
in the Specifications of the Letters Patent herein-before referred to, further descrip-
tion of them is unnecessary.
The frames A¹, A¹, the inetal rods A2, A2, with their guide rods A³, A³, the toothed
cylinders B, B1, the worin wheel C, the right and left handed screws D¹, D¹, the fast
and loose pulleys E, the shaft bearing D², and the bearings S¹ and U² for the toothed
cylinders B, B₁, form together the apparatus for producing the second or ster-
hydraulic pressure to which I subject the residuous matter contained in the
chambers formed between the slabs or plates c, c, by the frames f, f.
The action of the press is as follows:-The said press is first made to act as an
ordinary filtering press. When it has been ascertained by the cessation of the out-
flow of liquid that further internal pressure is incapable of extracting more liquid
the belt upon the loose pulley E, which is in communication with suitable well-
known reversing mechanism (not shewn in the Drawing), is pushed on to the fixed
pulley, which gives motion to the toothed cylinders B, B. The frames A¹, A¹, which
till now have been in their most elevated vertical position, are by the action of the
toothed cylinders B, B, upon racks formed upon the sides of the frames A¹, caused to
descend, forcing the metal rods A² into the cakes in the frames f, either simul-
In the latter case the frames
taneously into each of the frames f, or one by one.
A¹, A', should be suspended out of gear above the press by pulleys, or chains, or
ropes provided with counterpoises, and put into gear one by one, when required, by
the attendant in charge of the press.
When all the rods A have been forced into the frames of simultaneously, or one
by one, the motion is reversed, and the frames A', A², are caused to ascend, drawing
out the rods A2, A2, from the frame f until the lower ends A³ of the said rods A² are
flush with the inner edge of the frames f. The frames A¹ and rods A² may be
caused to ascend, either all simultaneously, or one by one. When the said frames A¹
have been brought back into their highest vertical position, the belt is again shifted
on to the loose pulley, and the filtering press is opened and emptied, the residuous
matter falling down underneath it to be collected and disposed of. The parts of the
machine are then replaced in position for a renewal of the operation.
In the foregoing description I have described a simple and effective mode of
device for effecting the introduction of the solid rods into the already formed cakes
in the press, but other means may be used for the same purpose; thus the said rods
may be drawn into the cakes by the actuating means placed under the press being
attached to the ends A3, A3, of the said rods; or the said rods may be forced into
the cakes by steam or hydraulic pressure acting on a beam above all the frames
A', A, by means of cylinders, one at each end of the said beam, disposed and
actuated so as to draw or force down the said beam and the rod frames when
required; or the said frames may be actuated by means of an endless screw over
each frame, such endless screws being caused to revolve, either all simultaneously, or
one by one.
The essential condition in the choice of the mode of actuating the said frames and
rods is to preserve independence of motion to the slabs or plates, so as to allow of
their being readily emptied and replaced in position for work.
In some cases the frames f. f, containing the cakes may be omitted, and the ster-
hydraulic mechanism may be applied to a press such as is described in the Specifi-
cation of Letters Patent granted to Pierre du Rieux and myself on the Second
March, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, No. 587; and in this case care
should be taken to provide a suitable india-rubber or leather lining or packing
between the adjoining faces of the slabs or plates, so as to form a tight joint.
The said sterhydraulic mechanism may be applied to filtering presses of any

page_text: suitable construction, whether there be one or more than one chamber in which the
cake to be operated upon is enclosed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I wish it to he understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details herein-before described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings,
as the same inay be varied without departing from the nature of my Invention, but
I claim as my said Invention,-
1stly. The application to cakes formed in filtering presses of direct acting ster-
hydraulic pressure, essentially as herein-before described, and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings.
2ndly. The combination and arrangement of parts of filtering presses herein-
before described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, by
adding to filtering presses apparatus for applying sterhydraulic pressure to the cakes
contained therein, essentially as described and represented.
3rdly. The apparatus for producing sterhydraulic pressure in filtering presses,
constructed and arranged essentially as herein-before described, and illustrated in
the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Charles Roettger, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Charles Roettger, of No. 36, Finsbury Park
Road, Finsbury Park, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES FOR EXPRESSING THE
MORE LIQUID PARTS FROM THE MORE SOLID PARTS OF SEMI-LIQUID MATTERS."
Sealed the 30th August 1878, and dated the 7th March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Charles Roettger at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th March 1878.
EDWARD CHARLES ROETTGER, of No. 36, Finsbury Park Road, Finsbury Park,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES
FOR EXPRESSING THE MORE LIQUID PARTS FROM THE MORE SOLID PARTS OF SEMI-
LIQUID MATTERS."
My improvements are particularly applicable to arrangements of filtering presses
of the character of those described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to
Edward Thomas Hughes as a communication from Pierre du Rieux and myself,
dated March 2nd, 1867, No. 587, and in the Specification of Letters Patent granted
to William Brookes as a communication from Ernest Jules, Jean Baptiste, Desiré
du Rieux, and myself, dated September 8th, 1871, No. 2378, in which the filtration
is effected by passing the semi-liquid matter operated upon either by force of gravity
or under high pressure through filtering media contained in series of narrow
chambers having communication with each other, and from which chambers the
more liquid portion of the matter under operation flows away by suitable taps or
valves into receivers or conduits provided for the purpose; and the object of my
present improvements is, by the more complete compression of the more solid parts,
to effect the more complete separation of the more liquid portion. For this purpose
cach of the chambers is provided with a series of rods, and each series is connected
externally to a separate frame capable of being separately operated upon, and each
rod is in length rather more than double that of the distance across its chamber.
One part of each rod is of comparatively small diameter, whilst the other portion
thereof is of increased diameter; the smaller portions of them are capable of sliding

page_text: through holes formed for them in one end of their respective chambers, and the
larger diameter of them is capable of sliding in corresponding holes formed for them
in the opposite edge of their respective chambers.
Each frame is capable of being separately acted upon to effect the endway traverse
of its series of rods in the chamber thereof by rack, pinion, and clutch connection, or
otherwise.
When through the pressure of the supply of material under operation the filtration
appears by the cessation of the outflow to have been as complete as the pressure
employed will effect, I close the inlet passage to these filtering chambers, and I cause
the movement of one or more of the frames with the series of rods so that the
thicker portions of such rods may progressively be forced into the more solid matter
under operation to effect its further compression, and the consequent further
expression therefrom of the more liquid matter, and I proceed in this way until all
the frames of rods, or as many of them as may be thought desirable, have been
operated upon.
When the operation is complete the frames may be acted upon to effect the with-
drawal of the thicker portions of the respective series of rods out of the more solid
residue of matter.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Charles Roettger in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
September 1878.
EDWARD CHARLES ROETTGER, of No. 36, Finsbury Park Road, Finsbury Park,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING PRESSES
FOR EXPRESSING THE MORE LIQUID PARTS FROM THE MORE SOLID PARTS OF SEMI-
LIQUID MATTERS."
Figures 1 and 2 of the said Drawings represent an ordinary filtering press provided
with apparatus constructed according to my Invention. Figure 1 is a vertical section
taken through the line G, H, Figure 2; and Figure 2 is a side elevation and partial
section through the line A, B, Figure 1.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts when they occur in both the Figures
of the Drawing.
a, b, are the two end plates of the filtering press; c, c, are the grooved or hollow
slabs or plates which between them form the chambers containing the filtering
media by which the filtration is effected. The said slabs or plates are provided with
cocks or taps c¹ for the outflow of the liquid, which runs into the gutter c². The
slabs or plates c are traversed by holes c³, c³, which form a continuous feed channel
for the semi-fluid matter flowing into the press through the channel a¹ in the end
plate a, which channel may be closed or opened by means of a stop-cock or valve
(not shewn in the Drawings).
fff, are metal frames in which is received the matter to be operated upon. The
said frames fare provided with studs f¹, f¹, which fit into corresponding recesses in

page_text: the slabs or plates c, c, for the purpose of keeping the said slabs or plates and frames
in close connection, and preventing the said frames from slipping out of position
under a vertical pressure.
The upright 8, the bars r,r, the screw w, the fly wheel v, and the base plate t
form the framework of the machine, but as they are well known; being described
in the Specifications of the Letters Patent herein-before referred to, further descrip-
tion of them is unnecessary.
The frames A¹, A³, the metal rods A2, A3, with their guide rods A³, As, the toothed
cylinders B, B¹, the worm wheel C, the right and left handed screws D¹, D¹, the fast
and loose pulleys E, the shaft bearing D³, and the bearings S'and U2 for the toothed
cylinders B, B¹, form together the apparatus for producing the second or ster-
hydraulic pressure to which I subject the residuous matter contained in the
chambers formed between the slabs or plates c, c, by the franes f.f.
The action of the press is as follows:-The said press is first made to act as an
ordinary filtering press. When it has been ascertained by the cessation of the out-
flow of liquid that further internal pressure is incapable of extracting more liquid
the belt upon the loose pulley E, which is in communication with suitable well-
known reversing mechanism (not shewn in the Drawing), is pushed on to the fixed
pulley, which gives motion to the toothed cylinders B, B. The frames À¹, A¹, which
till now have been in their most elevated vertical position, are by the action of the
toothed cylinders B, B, upon racks formed upon the sides of the frames A¹, caused to
descend, forcing the metal rods A³ into the cakes in the frames f, either simul-
taneously into each of the frames f, or one by one. In the latter case the frames
A', A¹, should be suspended out of gear above the press by pulleys, or chains, or
ropes provided with counterpoises, and put into gear one by one, when required, by
the attendant in charge of the press.
When all the rods A³ have been forced into the frames ƒ simultaneously, or ono
by one, the motion is reversed, and the frames A¹, A', are caused to ascend, drawing
out the rods A2, A3, from the frame f until the lower ends A³ of the said rods A³ are
flush with the inner edge of the frames f. The frames A' and rods A³ may be
caused to ascend, either all simultaneously, or one by one. When the said frames A¹
have been brought back into their highest vertical position, the belt is again shifted
on to the loose pulley, and the filtering press is opened and emptied, the residuous
matter falling down underneath it to be collected and disposed of. The parts of the
machine are then replaced in position for a renewal of the operation.
In the foregoing description I have described a simple and effective mode of
device for effecting the introduction of the solid rods into the already formed cakes
in the press, but other means may be used for the same purpose; thus the said rods
may be drawn into the cakes by the actuating means placed under the press being
attached to the ends A³, A³, of the said rods; or the said rods may be forced into
the cakes by steam or hydraulic pressure acting on a beam above all the frames
A¹, A, by means of cylinders, one at each end of the said beam, disposed and
actuated so as to draw or force down the said beam and the rod frames when
required; or the said frames may be actuated by means of an endless screw over
each frame, such endless screws being caused to revolve, either all simultaneously, or
one by one.
The essential condition in the choice of the mode of actuating the said frames and
rods is to preserve independence of motion to the slabs or plates, so as to allow of
their being readily emptied and replaced in position for work.
In some cases the frames f, f, containing the cakes may be omitted, and the ster-
hydraulic mechanism may be applied to a press such as is described in the Specifi-
cation of Letters Patent granted to Pierre du Rieux and myself on the Second
March, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, No. 587; and in this case care
should be taken to provide a suitable india-rubber or leather lining or packing
between the adjoining faces of the slabs or plates, so as to form a tight joint.
The said sterhydraulic mechanism may be applied to filtering presses of any

page_text: suitable construction, whether there be one or more than one chamber in which the
cake to be operated upon is enclosed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details herein-before described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings,
as the same may be varied without departing from the nature of my Invention, but
I claim as my said Invention,―
1stly. The application to cakes formed in filtering presses of direct acting ster-
hydraulic pressure, essentially as herein-before described, and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings.
2ndly. The combination and arrangement of parts of filtering presses herein-
before described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, by
adding to filtering presses apparatus for applying sterhydraulic pressure to the cakes
contained therein, essentially as described and represented.
3rdly. The apparatus for producing sterhydraulic pressure in filtering presses,
constructed and arranged essentially as herein-before described, and illustrated in
the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Charles Roettger, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
EDWARD CHAPTEN PARTICED