IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING GRAIN, AND REMOVING PULVERIZED SUBSTANCES, DUST, AND OTHER SMALL PARTICLES
Year: 1884

page_text: I GEORGE MARIE CAPELL of Passenham Rectory, Stony Stratford in the County.
of Northampton, Clerk in 'Holy Orders do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING GRAIN, AND REMOVING
PULVERIZED SUBSTANCES, DUST, AND OTHER SMALL PARTICLES," to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is an improvement in the removal of such substances.
as grain, dust, or pulverized substances, from the delivéry end of the elevator pipe
of an exhaust, pneumatic elevator and consists in the addition of a fluted rollei to
the hopper, or curved buckets placed round a cylinder with side flanges to prevent
air being drawn in by the fan at the bottom of the hopper and to act as a delivery
valve. This roller or cylinder is revolved at a convenient speed, its convex surfaces
(or the concave surfaces of the bottom of the hopper) being fitted with rollers of
india rubber, leather, or equivalent material, to effect an air tight joint, or long
brushes arranged in a suitable manner may replace these rollers. Each flute or
groove or curved bucket receives as much grain, or whatever may be the substance
to be operated upon, as is delivered 'into the hopper while the preceding convex®
surface of the roller has been passing the bottom of the hopper and which it
delivers into a suitable receptacle as it continues its revolution.
1
t
A perforated plate or woven sheet or screen is fixed in front of the exhaust
tube leading to the fan to prevent the grain, or other substance, entering the same.
I make the delivery end of the elevator pipe bell shaped to diminish the rate at
which the grain or other substânce elevated is delivered into the hopper.
With my invention it is obvious that the operation of pneumatic grain 'raising
or removal of any fine substance can proceed without intermission, inasmuch as
the vacuum in the exhaust chamber when once established is maintained until the
completion of the work; whereas without my improved delivery valve, the vacuum
has hitherto been sacrificed until the hopper has been emptied, its reproduction'
involving considerable loss of time and power.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, GEORGE MARIE CAPELL, of Passenham Rectory, Stony Stratford, in the
County of Northampton, Clerk, in. Holy Orders, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING GRAIN, AND
REMOVING PULVERIZED SUBSTANCES, DUST, AND OTHER SMALL PARTICLES,"
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 my invention is the introduction of an improvement into what are
known as pneumatic elevators, as used for raising or removing grain, pulverized
substances, dust, fine particles, powders, and the like.
In operating these apparatus as generally constructed, considerable inconvenience
and loss of time have been occasioned by the want of an easily controllable air-tight
chamber fitted with an efficient delivery valve upon the pneumatic exhaust, at
what would be a convenient point for delivering therefrom the substance (e.g.
grain) operated upon. Without such a device, it is evident that any interruption
or interference with the efficiency of the vacuum at any point in the line of exhaust
would immediately result not only in the stoppage of the entire apparatus, but also
in the sacrifice of all the energy represented by the perfecting of the vacuum and
the filling of the vertical part of the exhaust pipe.
My invention relates more, particularly to the obviating of the losses detailed
above, and consists essentially in the introduction of an air-tight hopper, or exhaust
chamber, at a convenient point in the line of pipe along which the exhaust is
induced, and, necessarily, between the substance, (grain for instance) in bulk and
the fan by which the apparatus is worked. The exhaust pipe from the bulk
delivers the substance operated upon into the hopper, from which it is withdrawn
by my rotating delivery valve.
Instead of making the delivery end of the pipe of the same sectional area as the
rest of the pipe I, according to my invention, expand it either in the form of a bell-
mouth or a cone-shape exit having its larger end exactly opposite its junction with
the elevator pipe and delivering vertically downwards on the rotating valve.
The end of the pipe from the hopper to the fan is covered by a screen to prevent
the coarser portion of the substance being sucked into it.
1J
The delivery valve consists of a cylinder revolved against the-hopper-bottom,
which is of a shape to correspond exactly with the periphery of such cylinder.
The surface of this cylinder has deep flutes, or lines of cavities, formed therein,
separated by 'plain intermediate spaces Rollers of rubber, or similar elastic
material, or brushes, are mounted upon either the face of the valve-casing or upon
that of the cylinder. The number and relative position of these rollers, or brushes,
is such that at least one is always in contact on each side of the roller-valve so that
the bottom of the hopper is always air-tight.
In order that my invention, and the means by which the same is carried into
practical effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will proceed to describe the same
in detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken

page_text: as part of this specification and read therewith. Like parts are throughout marked
with the same reference letter, the direction of the air currents being indicated by
straight arrows, and that of rotation of the valve, by curved ones.
Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation illustrating my invention.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation, with part of the valve-casing broken away, and
corresponding with the former figure.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken at the line ab on Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a plan illustrating the interspacing of the knots of a brush.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate modifications of my improved air-tight valve.
Fig 7 is a general view shewing the application of my invention to the work of
grain raising and delivering.
A is the air-tight hopper, or exhaust chamber. A convenient point for the
'position of this part of my invention is at the highest point of the exhaust pipe, as
illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7, but it may be fixed at any lower point thereof as may
be considered desirable, or more than one hopper may be connected by suitable
subsidiary pipes, to one main exhaust, as, for instance, in the case of a mill, where
each floor can be furnished with one of my apparatus, each one capable of being
worked separately or with any, or all, of the others, as may be required.
These hoppers may be constructed of any suitable material, metal, wood, earthen.
'ware, or glass, and with a moveable cover, by preference, for the purpose of easy
access to the interior, for cleaning or repairs. The capacity is decided by the
requirements of the particular case, and the shape, as to plan, by either the circum-
stances of the case or convenience in manufacture.
Bis the exhaust pipe from the substance in bulk to the hopper. The general
construction of this part of the apparatus may be according to the well known
type, with the usual air valve fitted upon it at a convenient point for the purpose
of supplying air in the event of the substance in bulk choking the end of the
exhaust by filling it, and not giving way readily before the external atmospheric
pressure. It may enter the hopper either through the top or through either side
or end as may be desirable, but whichever arrangement be adopted I prefer that
the point of entrance should be as high as possible. The delivery is always vertically
downwards.
Instead of making the mouth, a, of the same sectional area as the rest of the
pipe, I, according to my invention, expand it till it assumes, in elevation, the
outline of a pendant bell or of a truncated cone. The best proportions of this
mouth I find to be as follows. The larger diameter is two-and-a-half times that
of the pipe A, and the height twice the large diameter. These proportions may
be varied if required, as they necessarily would have to be if a bell-shaped mouth,
as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, is adopted. The advantages of this
shape of mouth are twofold. The exhaust in the pipe A is intensified, and the
velocity at which the substance is delivered into the hopper is diminished. The
practical utility of intensifying the exhaust in the pipe A is self evident; and by,
diminishing the velocity of discharge, I prevent finely divided substances from
being unduly agitated inside the hopper, which would result, in their being
conveyed into the pipe leading to the fan.
C is the continuation of the line of exhaust, and extends from the hopper to the,
fan M by which the whole apparatus is operated. This part of the exhaust pipe
may be conveniently made of a larger sectional area than the pipe B, and has its,
end cut diagonally as shewn,
It may be taken from any convenient point in the hopper. In the figure it is
shewn as taken from the side, or end, which I find to be as suitable as any.
+
D is a screen across the hopper, and should be continued upwards for a sufficient
height to prevent the levity of the substance operated upon taking it over the
top, d', leaving, however, a space, d³, not less in area than the sectional area of,
the pipe B.
It may be made of any suitable material, its mesh being sufficiently fine to
prevent anything larger than the fine dust of the material being operated on;

page_text: being sucked through it. Whenever, however, it is desirable to pass the dust
through the delivery valve for collection with the other 'material, it may be
returned to the bulk along a convenient duct, or to the place where the pulverizing
process (when my invention is being used with such an one) is being carried on,
instead of attempting to make the screen so fine as to stop its passage, a pro-
ceeding which would most likely result in the' complete choking of the screen,
followed by its fracture and a general miscarriage of the entire operation.
The delivery valve,, E, by which, according to my invention, the contents of the
hopper can be automatically and regularly delivered therefrom into the receptacle
awaiting them, without stopping either the fan, or the feed of material into the
hopper, or, in any way, imperilling the efficiency of the exhaust there or in any other
part of the apparatus, consists of a cylinder, or roller, having various deep flutes, e,
or cavities of any convenient shape, formed in the periphery thereof.
The bottom, A¹, of the exhaust-chamber A, is always of the usual hopper-shape,
and terminnates in the valve-casing g, which is furnished with suitable air-tight
bearings, h, h, for the axis of the valve to work in. One end of the axis is
prolonged to receive a suitable driving pulley, by which it can be revolved at a
speed suitable for the regular discharge of the substance being delivered into
the exhaust chamber, or hopper, A. The valve-casing is extended downwards,
producing a convenient delivery nozzle l..
The flutes are, preferably, of the full length of the valve, and are closed by two
discs, m. They may be of the same width as the intermediate spaces, i, or they
may be wider, or narrower.
When the flutes are of the same width as the intermediate spaces, it is clear that
the quantity of material which is withdrawn from the hopper by any one flute is
as much as was delivered into the hopper whilst the preceeding space was passing
the hopper-bottom.
I may make my delivery valve with two flutes and intermediate spaces, as
illustrated in Figs, 1 and 2, or there may be more than two pairs as illustrated in
Fig. 6, while Fig. 5 illustrates a construction of valve, according to my present
invention, in which the intermediate spaces are reduced until they are only
divisions separating the flutes or long buckets. It will be seen, however, that
the function of these divisions,,,, is precisely the same as that of the
spaces i, i, in Figs. 1, 2, and 6, although they do not look so prominent in section.
These divisions are fastened to the end discs as well as to the central cylinder.
I do not confine myself in the construction of my delivery valve to flutes of any
particular section, inasmuch as they can be varied in this respect, as in point of
number. In Fig. 1 the flutes are sector-shaped in section, extending to the
practicable axis of the valve. In Fig. 6 they are semicircular, while the core of
the valve body is hollow, and in Fig. 5 they radiate from the body of the valve.
And, instead of flutes extending the whole length of the valve, I may form cavities
of any convenient section and equivalent capacity therein.
The diameter of the valve is decided according to the capacity of the whole
apparatus, and, consequently the total sectional area of flutes, or of buckets or
cavities, by the quantity of material to be withdrawn from the hopper during
one revolution of the valve.
The valve is rotated at a speed to keep its withdrawing power equal to the
delivering capacity of the pipe A, at the same time it should not be quick enough
to heat or abrade the respective contacting surfaces of the valve and packing
hereafter described. The direction of rotation is immaterial with the construction
of valve illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 6, but with a valve constructed as in Fig. 5,
it must be revolved, as it were, backwards.
I make use of either of the two devices next described for making my valve
contact air-tight with the valve-casing. One of these devices, or systems of
packing, is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Each flute carries two brushes'j, j, jª‚ª³,
of sufficient fineness and density to practically prevent the passage of air or dust
through them, and elasticity to "give" sufficiently as they pass the valve-casing,

page_text: without being bent or broken. In making these brushes the knots are placed
diagonally so as to interspace them, thereby presenting an unbroken mass of
brush through which particles cannot pass. According to the figure, the brush, j³,
has just made contact with the adjoining side of the valve-casing, while the next
brush,, has passed the casing. But the brush, ³, had passed the corner, f¹, before
the brush,, had passed the side of the casing; consequently there will be constant
air-tight connection between valve and casing. The brushes are fixed upon the
valve as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2, or they may be fixed upon the inside of the valve-
casing as shewn in Fig. 5 In this figure, the brushes being fixed to the face of the
valve-casing can be, and are, much wider than the revolving ones illustrated in
Figs. 1 and 2.
Any suitable and well-known method of attaching the brushes may be adopted,
either by screw and bracket, n, as in Fig. 1, or by plain screw, as in Fig 5.
Each bracket has a small slot, n, instead of a plain hole, through which the
screw passes. When the brushes are worn the screws are loosened, the brushes
readjusted, and the screws tightened up again.
Fig. 6 illustrates another device for securing air-tight contact between valve
and casing. The packing consists of rollers k, k, of rubber or similar elastic or
semi-elastic material. These may be mounted either upon the valve, or upon the
internal face of the valve-casing. I may use springs behind these rollers to make
the contact perfect, although if the rollers be properly made of good material this
device need not be resorted to.
The action of these rollers in maintaining constant air-tight contact is precisely
similar to that of the four brushes in Figs. 1 and 2, and their relative positions to
each other and to the flutes is governed by the considerations set forth with
reference to said brushes.
The nozzle may be fitted, as to detail, in any convenient way, according to the
special requirements of each particular case to which my invention is applied, for
the more convenient reception and removal of the material delivered therefrom.
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, in an apparatus for raising grain, and capable of removing pulverized
substances, dust, and other small particles
1. The use of an air-tight hopper, A, into which the adjacent ends of the two
pipes B and C (which together form practically one line of exhaust) are projected,
as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
2. The expanding of the hopper-end of the pipe, B, into a bell- or truncated-
cone shape extension a, for the purpose of intensifying the exhaust in said pipe
and, at the same time, reducing the velocity of discharge, substantially as described
with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
3. The extension of the hopper bottom, A¹, into the valve-casing g, of a circular
section to receive a revolving delivery valve E, substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
4. In combination with the air-tight hopper A, rotary valve E, and casing g;
the nozzle, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
5. A rotary valve having flutes or cavities of any section and interspaced by
plain convex surfaces or divided by divisions formed in it, and capable of being
revolved air-tight in the valve-casing claimed above, substantially as described
with reference to the accompanying figures 1, 2, 5 and 6.
6. The use, in combination with an air-tight hopper A, of a rotating delivery
valve having cavities or flutes formed in its periphery and revolved air-tight
against the hopper-mouth, the capacity of the cavities, or of the flutes being equal
to the volume of material delivered into the hopper during one revolution of the
valve, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying figures.
7. In combination with a rotary delivery valve E-capable of revolving in the
valve casing g of an air tight hopper A, the use of brushes, either fixed upon

page_text: the valve or upon the inner face of the valve-casing, in number and width asomay
be rendered necessary by the number of flutes (or lines of cavities) and width of
intervening spaces or of the intervening divisions, for, the purpose of making and
preserving a practical air-tight contact between the valve and its casing, substan-
tially as described with reference to Figs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
"1
8. In combination with a rotary delivery valve E capable of revolving in the
valve casing g depending from an air-tight hopper or exhaust chamber A, the use
of rollers, k, of rubber or equivalent elastic or semi-elastic material, fixed either
upon. the valve, or upon the internal face of the valve, and interspaced with
reference to the number and width of the flutes (or equivalent cavities); for the
purpose of making and preserving a practical air-tight contact between the valvé
and its casing, substantially, as described with reference to Fig. 6.
9. The combination of air-tight hopper A, bell shaped mouth, a, of delivery
pipe A, screen D, valve E, and valve casing, g; the whole substantially as described
with reference to the accompanying figures..