A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF CHARGING AND DRAWING GAS RETORTS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Russell, of No. 19, Cleveland Square, Hyde Park,
in the County of Middlesex, Esquire, for the Invention of "A" NEW OR
IMPROVED METHOD OF CHARGING AND DRAWING GAS RETORTS." A com-
munication from abroad by Henry Atkinson, of Auckland, in the Province of
Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand.
Sealed the 12th January 1877, and dated the 27th November 1876
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Thomas Russell at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th November 1876.
THOMAS RUSSELL, of No. 19, Cleveland Square, Hyde Park, in the County of
Middlesex, Esquire. "A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF CHARGING AND DRAWING
GAS RETORTS." A communication from abroad by Henry Atkinson, of Auckland,
in the Province of Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand.
The Invention relates to a new or improved method of charging and drawing
gas retorts. It consists of a framework A carried on wheels B, B, B, B, by which
the machine is traversed in front of the retorts on upper framework C, on which the
mechanism is carried, is held in proper position and also adjustable by the screws D, D,
worked by the gearing E, E, or other suitable motion, so as to be readily adjusted
to the several heights required by the different retorts. This upper frame is guided
and kept in position at the four corners by sliding blocks, wheels, or other suitable
provision; on the upper frame is attached F gearing properly proportioned working
into a top G and bottom rack H, which said racks are attached at the, one end to
the charging hopper K, the bottom rack being completed to the bottom plate L and
the top rack being coupled to the bonnet or top M, being detached from each other
and capable of sliding the one on the other, and having suitable attachments by
staples or pins, so as to form when being filled with coal, as shewn in the red lines
on the Drawing, a complete hopper. After being filled and lowered the hopper is
ready to perform its duty.
The raising and lowering of the hopper L, M, is performed by the racking screws
or other suitable motion. By placing the plough N in the retort mouth and by
turning the handles O the hopper is pushed by the bottom rack H into the retort,
the plough at the same time performing its duty by pushing the coke or spent
charge before it, and so clearing the floor of the retort for the hopper to deposit its

page_text: charge of coal, the coke being pushed out of the other end of the retort on to the
retort-house floor, or into a truck or barrow placed to receive it. When the hopper
has been pushed sufficiently far into the retort the upper rack G has come into gear
of pinion P, and by throwing the wheel O into gear with the pinion that is at
present drawing the lower rack and reversing the action of the handles O, the
gearing being so proportioned that when in gear, as now shewn, the bottom racking
traverses twice the distance of the top racking in the same time, consequently the
lower plate is withdrawn in direct ratio to the gearing, and the charge, when the
lower plate has cleared the retort mouth, is deposited on floor of the retort. The
teeth on the upper rack have by this time cleared the pinion P, and the hopper is
then withdrawn by a pinion actuated by the wheel R and placed in position to
receive a fresh supply of coal, when the operation is repeated.
The gearing for working the traversed racks is proportioned as two to one, and
consequently by throwing the wheel into gear with the pinion the second pinion, or
the one that withdraws the bottom plate of the hopper, runs twice the speed of the
one that withdraws the bonnet, and as stated above, performs the operation of
charging, and the plough being pushed before the hopper as it enters the retort
clears away the spent charge, and so the charging and withdrawing is performed at
one and the same operation. In the end of the bottom plate L are two studs or
pins standing up about one inch above the plate, so that when the back of the
bonnet has reached the end of the plate and discharged the coal therefrom the studs
prevent the bonnet from dropping over the end of the plate, and at this point all the
teeth of the upper rack have just passed over the pinion P, which allows the bottom
rack to draw the bonnet with the bottom plate partially out of the retort, but
when the bottom plate is carried back to its proper position the bonnet has to be
carried back the length of the plate, which is accomplished by the pinion S worked
by the wheel R. Y is a tube or other guide to act in conjunction with G top rack,
to prevent side thrust when in operation.
The dimensions given in the above Specification and accompanying Drawings
are suitable for retorts open at each end, eleven feet long by twenty-seven inches
wide, and fifteen inches deep. The charger or hopper being five feet long, 26
inches wide, and any depth less than the depth of the retort, it therefore deposits
the coal in an even layer over 10 feet of the retort, leaving 6 inches at each end
next the mouth pieces clear; but the machine can be constructed to answer for any
length or size of retorts, except for retorts only open at one end, where a separate
machine is required to withdraw the coke or spent charge, which machine is
represented by Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, and consists of a framed carriage on wheels,
by which it is traversed in front of the retorts, a framework A, A, of sufficient
height to allow of the drawer C being sufficiently raised to enter the top retort,
according to the styles of retorts in use; in conjunction with this framework A, A,
is the drawer C, consisting of a moveable rack sliding in a groove or other suitable
arrangement, and actuated on by the pinion X worked by hand or other suitable
motion.
At the retort end of the drawer and carried by the moveable rack is a plate made
to fit a portion of the retort K, which is so arranged and actuated on by the rods L
as to be capable of being held up whilst entering the retort, as shewn, Fig. 3,
until it has assumed its proper position in the retort for withdrawing the charge,
the side rods being now withdrawn by the projecting end coming against pinion ✗
the plate assumes the position as shewn, Fig. 4, and the action of the sliding rack
being now reversed the whole charge is withdrawn and falls into the carriage M,
as shewn, which is placed under to receive it, and likewise traverses the retort
house in front of the retorts. The springs or other suitable attachment, as shewn, at
the other end of the sliding rack serve to keep the rods up against the plate, so
that on the withdrawing plate being carried into position again up the incline
planes H the rods enter their several holes and the plate is held up ready to again
enter the retort. The drawer C is capable of being elevated or depressed as
required. The gearing F is worked by the pinions or other suitable motion; it is

page_text: also kept in position by the slides or guides Y attached to the framing A, A, in
which guides the rack moves freely; a thickness, piece lip, or roller is fastened on
the retort end of the sliding rack, so as to allow the rod to pass freely over the coke
without disturbing it before reaching the end of the retort.
The special and distinct novelty that I claim for my said Invention is, with the
foregoing description of my Invention and the manner of operating the same. I
beg to state that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein set forth, as
they may be varied to suit circumstances, but what I claim as my Invention is,―
First. The arrangement of racks and pinions whereby the retorts are discharged of
their contents, and by throwing the wheel O into gear and reversing the action of
the handle another charge is deposited in the retort, substantially as herein-before
described.
Second. The arrangement for elevating one end of the hopper L, M, to receive
the charge, as herein-before described.
Third. The arrangement whereby the machine is adjusted to the several heights
of retorts, as herein-before described.
Fourth. The arrangement and construction of machines for drawing retorts that are
only open at one end, substantially as herein-before described and shewn on Sheet 2,
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the whole arranged and caused to operate together in the
manner and for the purpose herein-before described and illustrated by the Drawings
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Russell, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
THOMAS RUSSELL. (L.S.)