Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Gas and other Retorts.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 29th June, 1894-Accepted, 6th Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Gas and other Retorts.
We, Sir WILLIAM ARROL, Knight, of Dalmarnock Iron Works, Engineer,
and WILLIAM FOULIS, of 45 John Street, Civil Engineer, both of Glasgow, in
the County of Lanark, North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for charging gas and other
retorts, and forms additions to as well as modifications of the apparatus described
in the Specification of our former Patent No. 14,440 of 28th August 1891.
In carrying out our present invention we mount the coal or other inaterial hopper
or chamber on the top-front end of the carriage framework, in such a manner, that
it is stationary in relation to the machine and therefore does not require to be raised
and lowered as hitherto. In order to lead the coal from said hopper to the shoot or
delivery plate we in accordance with our present invention provide an automatic
self adjusting passage or vertical shoot communication between the said hopper and
shoot. The said passage is formed of two stationary side plates which are secured
at their top ends to the hopper or framework of the carriage; a front plate, which
may be made of one, two or more parts, secured at its lower end to the angle
iron or steel main frame, in such a manner, that it is raised and lowered along
with the said frame; a self adjusting back plate which is pivotted or hinged at
its lower end to the side plates of the shoot box, which in this case is attached
to the front end of the angle iron frame; the said back plate is also pivotted
or hinged at its top end to two or more swinging arms or levers the lower ends
of which are pivotted to the stationary framework of the carriage, in such a
manner, as to always provide a close box or passage between the hopper and the
shoot no matter in what position they are.
When the front plate is made in more than piece, for example say two pieces,
the top one would be carried up through the medium of a hooked plate, by the
top end of the lower piece, in such a manner, that on being lowered a certain
distance, they would be disengaged from each other and the top piece left suspended
or hanging on to a cross rod or bolt secured to the sides of the passage.
The hopper may also be provided with a suitable internal dash plate so as to
relieve the pressure on the moveable door and so ensure of a regular feed of coal
being supplied to the revolving feed wheel, which according to the present invention
has its operating rams arranged or formed in line, and the rack formed in the centre
of the two rams, in such a manner, that the small or constant cylinder's ram forces
back the large cylinder's ram direct, without the intervention of a pawl. Also in
order to ensure of a more definite action being given to the said actuating rams for
the feed wheel we substitute a trigger arrangement at the rear end of the main
frame or beam, in lieu of the spring actuated lever; said trigger being actuated by
means of a projecting pin or stud on one of the horizontal rams slipper block. In
some cases where the machine or apparatus has to rise a considerable height we may
provide a double trigger arrangement, connected together by means of a rod, in such
a manner, that one or other of said triggers may be thrown into or out of action.
According to the present invention the pusher and pusher rod are mounted below
the Hiron or steel main frame or bar, which is provided with a top plate stiffened
by side angle irons in such a manner as to enable the horizontal cylinders and rams
to be mounted thereon, the slipper blocks of said rams working in suitable guides
formed in said top plate which is formed with slots through which the rope or cord
nulleys of the rams work.

page_text: The shaft which regulates the travel of the pusher is in this case mounted above
the beam's top plate, and has its stops or projections pinned or screwed on to it;
the said stops acting upon a corresponding steel stop which is screwed or otherwise
retained in the slipper block of one of the horizontal rams; the thrust of the said
stopper shaft being taken up by means of an adjusting screw mounted in a small
bracket at end of beam in such a manner that the end of the screw acts against the
end of the shaft.
The hydraulic raising and lowering cylinder is according to the present invention
mounted in the horizontal plane, preferably on top of the framework of the carriage;
the ram of which is provided with a crosshead slipper block, which works in suitable
guides or channels. The ram is provided with two rope pulleys so as to enable a
rope, the one end of which is secured to the framework of the carriage, to be passed
around one then back, over a guide pulley and down to a loop or saddle bracket,
which is attached to the main angle iron frame. Near the front end of this
frame we provide means whereby two suspending ropes may be attached, and
which after passing up and over two guide pulleys are connected to a yoke or cross
bar to the centre of which is connected a single rope which after passing around a
rear guide pulley, passes around the other pulley on the ram and is attached to the
cylinder. The iron beam or bar and its connections are carried by means of the
main angle iron frame through the medium of two central brackets and pivots.
In some cases where the apparatus or machine is intended to be used for charging
retorts at a considerable height from the floor, we may so mount the attendants
platform that after the angle iron frame has been raised a certain distance, it will
engage with and raise the said platform which may be provided with guide wheels
or guides which would work in channels or grooves in the framework of the
carriage; said channels or grooves being provided with retaining or supporting
stops at their lower ends so as to prevent the platform going too far down.
When this moveable platform is employed, we remove the valve for operating
the raising and lowering cylinder, to the top of the framework of the carriage,
and actuate it through the medium of a square upright shaft and handle; said
handle being suitably mounted in the moveable platform.
The hand or power gearing for actuating the carriage from one set of retorts
to another may also in accordance with the present invention be so arranged as
to be capable of working with either a single or double power and which may
or may not be provided with a fly wheel.
Dated this 5th day of September 1893.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Petitioners' Agents.
Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Gas and other Retorts.
We, Sir WILLIAM ARROL, Knight, of Dalmarnock Iron Works, Engineer, and
WILLIAM FOULIS, of 45 John Street, Civil Engineer, both of Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, 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 relates to improvements in apparatus for charging gas and other
retorts, and forms additions to, as well as modifications of, the apparatus described
in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 14,440 dated 28th August 1891 granted
to us.
In describing our present invention we will refer to the annexed explanatory
sheets of drawings throughout which the same reference letters denote similar parts.
Figures 14, 13, 1° and 1" form an elevation of our improved apparatus,

page_text: Figure 1 showing the left hand top portion, Figure 18 the right hand top portion,
Figure 1 the left hand bottom portion, and Figure 1º the right hand bottom
portion of the apparatus.
Figures 2 and 2B form a sectional plan of the parts of the apparatus shown in
Figures 1 and 1. Figure 2 being the part corresponding to Figure 1º, and
Figure 2B the part corresponding to Figure 1º.
Figures 3 and 3B form an elevation of the end shown in Figures 14 and 1º,
Figure 3 being the upper part and Figure 3B the lower part.
Figure 4 is a part sectional plan of Figures 1A and 1B.
Figures 5 and 6 are a plan and end elevation of a detail and modification, and
Figure 7 is a part elevation showing a modification.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, we mount a hopper or chamber A
for the coal or other material to be fed into the retorts (we will presume it to be
coal), on the top front end of the carriage framework B, in such a manner, that the
said hopper or chamber A. is stationary, in relation to the machine, and therefore
In order to lead the coal
does not require to be raised and lowered as hitherto.
from the said hopper A to the shoot or delivery plate C (Figures 1 and 2B) we in
accordance with our present invention provide an automatic self adjusting
passage or vertical shoot communicating between the hopper A and the delivery
plate C. The said passage is composed of two stationary side plates D which are
secured at their top ends to the hopper A and framework B of the carriage B';
a front plate D' which may be made of one part or of two or more parts, secured
at its lower end to the angle iron or steel main frame E, in such a manner, that it
is raised and lowered along with the said frame E; a self adjusting back plate D²
which is pivoted or hinged at its lower end d to the side plates D of the shoot
The
box C¹ which in this case is attached to the front end of the main frame E.
said back plate D2 is also pivoted or hinged at its top end d¹ to two or more
swinging arms or levers D³, the lower ends d³ of which are pivoted or hinged to
the stationary framework B of the carriage B' in such a manner, as to always
provide a clear and close box or passage between the hopper A and the delivery
plate or shoot C no matter in what position they may be.
The hopper A is in accordance with our present invention provided with an
internal dash plate F so as to relieve the pressure of the coal on the moveable
door F¹ and so ensure of a regular feed of coal being supplied to the revolving
feed wheel G, which according to the present invention has its operating
cylinders H and H¹ arranged in line with each other, (Figures 1B, 1º and 4,) with
the rams connected together or formed in one and with the rack H2 between the
two cylinders in such a manner, that the ram of the small or constant cylinder H
forces back the ram of the large cylinder H' direct without the intervention of u
pawl as hitherto. Also in order to ensure of a more definite action being given to
the rams of the said cylinders H and H for the feed wheel G, we substitute, a
trigger arrangement at the rear end of the main frame E or beam E', in lieu of the
spring actuated lever arrangement hitherto employed. The said trigger arrangement
is composed of a suitably shaped trigger or lever J mounted on the top of the
spindle of the regulating valve or cock J' and formed with a forked portion j
which in its normal position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2ª, engages with a
projecting pin or stud on the slipper block L² of one of the horizontal rams.
The pusher K and pusher rod Kare, in accordance with our present invention,
mounted below the H iron or steel beam E of the main frame, the said main frame
being composed of the H beam E' and top plate E2 which is stiffened by the side
angle bars e, in such a manner as to enable the horizontal cylinders L and rams L'
to be mounted thereon. The slipper blocks L2 of the said rams L' work in suitable
guides or slots formed in the said top-plate E³, in such a manner, as to enable
the rope or cord pulleys L³ of the rams L to work freely therein.
The shaft M which regulates the travel of the pusher K is also, in this case,
mounted above the top plate E2 of the H beam E, and has its stops or projections m
pinned, screwed or otherwise secured on to it; the said stops or projections m acting

page_text: against or upon a corresponding stop which is screwed or otherwise retained in the
slipper block L of one of the horizontal rams L¹; the thrust of the said shaft M
may be taken up by means of an adjusting screw M which is mounted in a
bracket m³ near the end of the top plate E2 and beam E', in such a manner that
the end of the screw M¹ acts against the end of the shaft M.
In accordance with the present invention, the hydraulic raising and lowering
cylinder N and ram N¹ are mounted horizontally, preferably on the top of the
framework B of the carriage B. The ram N¹ of the cylinder N is provided with
a crosshead slipper block N2 (Figures 1 and 4) which works in suitable guides or
channels n formed in, or provided on, the framework B. The ram N¹ is provided
at its front end with two rope or cord pulleys P, P', that marked P being for a
rope or cord P2, the one end p of which is adjustably secured to the framework B,
it being then passed around the pulley P, then back, over a guide pulley P³
mounted on the framework B, and down to a loop or saddle bracket P, which is
attached to the main frame É. Near the front end of the main frame E we
provide means whereby two suspending cords or ropes Po, may be attached, which
cords or ropes after passing up and over two guide pulleys P, are connected to a
yoke or cross bar P to the centre p' of which is connected a single rope P8, which
after passing around a rear guide pulley P, mounted on the framework B, passes
around the other pulley P, on the ram N₁ and is adjustably attached to the
cylinder N at n'. The iron or steel beam E' and its connections are carried by
means of the main angle iron frame E through the medium of two central
brackets and pivots q, Figures 1 and 2ª.
The hand or power gearing R (Figures 1, 2 and 3B) for actuating the
carriage B¹ from one set of retorts to another may in accordance with the present
invention, be so arranged as to be capable of working with a double power as
shown, as well as with a single power, and, if desired, the said gearing R may be
provided with a fly wheel R¹ as shown.
When the machine or apparatus is intended to be used for charging retorts at a
considerable height from the floor, we may employ the modifications illustrated in
Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the annexed drawings.
Referring to Figures 5 and 6 we provide a double trigger arrangement for
operating the valve J' of the cylinders H, H', which actuate the feed wheel G,
that is to say, we pivot or otherwise mount on the top plate E² an auxiliary trigger
or lever J2 and connect it to the main trigger J by means of the adjustable rod J³,
in such a manner, that one or other of the said triggers J J2 can be thrown into or
out of action as desired, in this case we also provide a buffer j' which is adjustably
mounted on the rod J³ so as to ensure one or other of the triggers taking up its
proper position in the path of the pin j¹ of the horizontal ram L
The front plate of the automatic self adjusting passage or shoot between the
hopper A and the delivery plate C may be made in two pieces, as shown in
Figure 7 in which case, the top piece or plate D" is carried up by the top end of
the lower piece or plate D12 by means of the bent or hooked plate d' which is
secured to the top end of the top piece D". On the main frame E being lowered
beyond a certain point the pieces D¹¹ and D¹² are disengaged from each other and
the top piece D is left suspended or hanging on the cross rod or bolt d³ which is
secured to the side plates D of the shoot.
Also in accordance with our present invention when the apparatus is intended to
be used for charging retorts at a considerable height from the floor, we may (as
also shown in Figure 7 of the drawings), so mount the attendants platform S that
after the angle iron or steel frame E has been raised a certain distance it will
engage with, and raise, the said platform S which is provided with guide wheels or
guides S¹ which work in grooves or channels S² formed in the framework B of the
carriage B'; the said grooves or channels S' being provided with retaining or
supporting stops s at their lower ends so as to prevent the platform S from
descending too far.
When this moveable platform S is employed we remove the valve T for operating

page_text: the raising and lowering cylinder N to the top of the framework B and actuate it
through the medium of a square upright shaft T and handle T'; the said
handle T2 being mounted in a bracket T³ carried by the moveable platform S as
shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is :-
1st. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting a retort
charging apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the
accompanying drawings, and whether arranged as in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 or with the
modifications shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7.
2nd. In retort charging apparatus, the combination with a pusher and means for
reciprocating it, of a stationary hopper and automatic self adjusting passage or
shoot having its front plate formed in one piece or in more than one piece and with
a back plate hinged or pivoted, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown
in the accompanying drawings.
3rd. In retort charging apparatus, the combination with a pusher and means for
reciprocating it, of the improved means for varying the length of each successive
stroke of the said pusher whilst the retort is being charged and the thrust
arrangement for same, substantially as hereinbefore described, and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
4th. In retort charging apparatus, the combination with a pusher and means for
reciprocating it, of the improved means for actuating the feed wheel of the hopper,
whether it be a single or double trigger arrangement that is employed, substantially
as hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
5th. In retort charging apparatus the combination with a pusher and means for
reciprocating it, of the improved means for raising and lowering the same so as to
fit the various levels of the retorts; substantially as hereinbefore described and
shown in the accompanying drawings.
6th. In retort charging apparatus, the arrangement whereby the operator's
platform is caused to rise and fall along with the pusher and frame, substantially
as hereinbefore described and shown in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
7th. In retort charging apparatus, the combination with a raising and lowering
operator's platform, of the improved means for actuating the operating valve of
the raising and lowering cylinder, substantially as hereinbefore described and
shown in Figure 7 of the drawings.
Dated this 28th day of June 1894.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicants' Agents.