IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING BRICKS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Cooper, of New Ferry, Birkenhead, in the
County of Chester, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS
AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING BRICKS."
Sealed the 2nd April 1880, and dated the 17th October 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Cooper at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th October 1879.
CHARLES COOPER, of New Ferry, Birkenhead, in the County of Chester,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING BRICKS."
This Invention has for its object to provide means and apparatus whereby bricks
may have a great portion of the moisture they contain after moulding removed, so
as to fit them for being burned in a kiln in a rapid, effecient, and economical
manner.
For the above purpose I arrange the bricks to be dried within a room or shed so
as to form alternately wide vertical avenues or passes and narrow avenues,
passages, or hollow walls, and I impel heated air or gases through the wide
avenues or passages at or near the top of the chamber or shed, such air or gases
passing off through the narrow avenues, passages, or hollow walls. Pipes heated
by waste or exhaust steam, and provided with shut off valves, are employed to
raise the temperature of the lower portion of the chamber or shed. The bricks are
placed on racks, each brick being carried by one or more, preferably three, supporting
pieces, so as to allow of the heated air or gases coming into contact with almost the
whole surface of the brick to be dried. Pipes are led transversely across the avenues
or passages, and one or more nozzles are provided for each avenue, whereby the air
or beated gases may enter the said avenues. Each nozzle has an opening and closing
valve or like appliance. Openings are made in the end of the room or shed opposite
the narrow avenues, passages, or hollow walls, and are fitted with doors or valves,
through which the moist air which has dried the bricks passes off. The air or gases
for drying the bricks is or are impelled into or withdrawn from the chamber or
shed by means of a fan or suitable appliance, and is or are heated by waste heat
from steam generator or other furnaces.

page_text: impelling air through the heating apparatus p into the pipe . The hoating
apparatus p consists of a series of tubes q, around which waste gases are caused to
circulate. The waste gases and steam used may advantageously be obtained from
the engines employed to give motion to the fan or blower o, or to drive pug mills
or other apparatus.
The air used to dry the bricks, tiles, or blocks passes from the fan or blower o
through the heating apparatus p into the pipe i, and enters the avenues or passages f
through the nozzles j. After acting on the bricks, tiles, or blocks such heated air
loaded with moisture passes through the perforations into the avenues c, and finally
away through the conduit n. The heated air is mixed with steam or moisture on
first entering the chamber or shed until the bricks, tiles, or blocks are raised to the
temperature of the heated air, after which dry air is alone allowed to enter the
chamber or shed.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention in such manner that others
will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim,—
First. Drying bricks, tiles, or blocks substantially in the manner set forth.
Second. Apparatus for drying bricks, tiles, or blocks, constructed, arranged, and
operating substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Cooper, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this 15th day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.