IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORT CHARGING AND DRAWING MACHINES AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR DELIVERING COAL TO THE SCOOPS OF SUCH CHARGING MACHINES M PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Woodward, of Queens Foundry Ancoats, Manchester
in the County Palatine of Lancaster, Engineer, and William Foulis of Glasgow
in the County of Lanark North Britain, Civil Engineer for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORT CHARGING AND DRAWING MACHINES AND IN
THE APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR DELIVERING COAL TO THE SCOOPS OF SUCH
CHARGING MACHINES
M
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Woodward and
William Foulis at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
13th October 1883.
66
JOHN WOODWARD, of Queens Foundry, Ancoats Manchester in the County
Palatine of Lancaster, Engineer and WILLIAM FOULIS, of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain Civil Engineer, IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORT CHARGING
AND DRAWING MACHINES AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR DELIVERING
COAL TO THE SCOOPS OF SUCH CHARGING MACHINES,"
This Invention relates in the first place to improvements in retort charging
machines, and whilst being applicable to retort charging machines of various types
is especially adapted for what are known as the Foulis Hydraulic charging
Machines.
This part of the Invention consists in placing a hopper at the upper part of such
charging machines into which coal is delivered.-At the lower part of this hopper,
a feed wheel is placed for feeding the coal in regulated quantity to the scoop or
scoops of the charging machine.
In order to direct the coal into any particular scoop of the charging machine, or
into a scoop in any one of its positions vertically when a raising and lowering
scoop is used, a vertical enclosure or passage is placed below the feeding wheel and
in this passage inclined divisions are situate, extending part way across the width
of the passage.-Doors are placed at the inner side of the passage, one opposite
each scoop, or in the case of machines when one scoop only is used opposite the
different positions of the scoop and each door is so arranged that when it is opened
1077

page_text: by turning it on its axis, it forms a continuous guide from the inclined division
next it to the scoop, so that the coal falling thereon is directed into any particular
scoop required.
The second part of the Invention relates to improvements in the Hydraulic
Drawing machines described in the Specification of the said William Foulis
N° 3487, A.D. 1874, and has for its object the reduction in capacity of the cylinders
of such machines thus enabling them to be worked with higher pressures than is
practicable in the machines as therein described.
The improvements consist in making the cylinder of such machines the moving
part, while the piston and piston rod are fixed to a moveable frame on the
machine. The Drawing rake is attached to the end of the cylinder.-The piston
rod is tubular and has within it a tube of smaller diameter.-This inner tube
conveys the water under pressure to the cylinder while the annular space between
the two tubes serves as the exhaust from the cylinder.-When working the water
pressure is always on the back end of the piston, that is .tending to draw the rake
from the retort. This end of the piston is less in area than the front end by an
amount equal to the diameter of the tubular piston rod.-A valve is placed to
open a communication between the opposite sides of the piston, when in
consequence of the difference in areas, the cylinder is caused to move forward into
the retort.-The water from the back end of the piston being at the same time
driven to the front end.
When it is desired to reverse the action of the cylinder this valve is closed and
the exhaust valve opened, when the pressure of water acting only on the back end
of the piston withdraws the cylinder.
The whole of this arrangement is suspended in a moveable frame which may be
raised or lowered and which is provided with guides for the purpose of directing
the rake cylinder in its passage to and fro.-The levers for working the valves
above mentioned are so arranged that the action of opening or shutting the valves
elevates or depresses the rake into a suitable position to pass over and into the
coke in the retort on the forward and backward strokes respectively
Another modification is to arrange the rake cylinder or tube as described in the
Specification of the said William Foulis N° 3487 A.D. 1874, but having a thick
rake rod which may be either solid or tubular.-In the annular space between the
rake tube and rod the water pressure is maintained constant.-A valve admits the
water pressure to the other side of the piston which being greater in area than
the front end by the area of the cross section of the piston rod, the piston moves
forward driving the water in front of it to the source of supply or to the other
side of the piston, and thus only about one half the quantity of water will be used.
Another modification consists in working the rake by means of a separate
cylinder, by means of chains or ropes; the rake rod being made hollow and having
water circulating through it-Such water being preferably supplied from the
exhaust of the working cylinder.
The Invention consists in the third place of apparatus for delivering coal to the
hopper hereinbefore described as placed upon the charging machines and this
either continuously or intermittently as may be required.
The mechanism constituting this part of the invention consists of a pair of
endless travelling pitch chains or their equivalent which travel on pairs of carrier
rollers supported in brackets in front of the bench of retorts and the whole length
of the retort house and immediately above the hopper of the charging machine or
machines. These chains pass downwards around and under pulleys in the pit or
receptacle whereinto the coal is deposited.-At suitable intervals, long scoop-like
receptacles of the length or nearly the length of the scoops on the machine, are
fitted transversely between the chains, these receptacles being carried upon studs
on which they are free to be moved rotatively.-The receptacles are of less length
than the distance apart between opposite pairs of the carrier pulleys and they
therefore pass freely between them. By virtue of these receptacles being so
suspended they in the course of being traversed upon the carrier pulleys become

page_text: filled with coal each time they pass through the pit or receptacle containing it, and
raise the coal up to the level of the upper carrier pulleys and so a series of
receptacles thus charged are continuously or they may be intermittently traversed
along the whole line or bench of the retorts.
When it is desired to discharge the coal from any one of the receptacles into the
hopper on a charging machine the attendant at the charging machine by means of
a lever attached thereto causes a stop to be raised, which as any one of the
receptacles comes in contact with it causes that receptacle to be turned upwards on
its axis and to discharge its contents of coal into the hopper placed at the top of
the charging machine.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Woodward and William Foulis in the Patent Office on the
12th April 1884.
JOHN WOODWARD, of Queens Foundry, Ancoats, Manchester in the County
Palatine of Lancaster, Engineer, and WILLIAM FOULIS of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORT-CHARGING
AND DRAWING MACHINES AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR DELIVERING
COAL TO THE SCOOPS OF SUCH CHARGING MACHINES
"
Our said Invention relates in the first place to improvements in retort-charging'
machines and whilst being applicable to retort charging machines of various
types is especially adapted for what are known as the "Foulis hydraulic charging
machines.
This part of the Invention consists in placing a hopper at the upper part of such
charging machines into which coal is delivered.-At the lower part of this hopper
a feed wheel is placed for feeding the coal in regulated quantity to the scoop or
scoops of the charging machine.
In order to direct the coal into any particular scoop of the charging machine, or
into a scoop in any one of its positions vertically when a raising and lowering
scoop is used, a vertical enclosure or passage is placed below the feeding wheel, and
in this passage inclined divisions are situate, extending part way across the width
of the passage.-Doors are placed at the inner side of the passage, one opposite
each scoop, or in the case of machines when one scoop only is used, opposite the
different positions of the scoop, and each door is so arranged that, when it is
opened by turning it on its axis, it forms a continuous guide from the inclined
division next it to the scoop, so that the coal falling thereon is directed into any
particular scoop required.
The second part of the Invention relates to improvements in the hydraulic
drawing machines described in the Specification of the said William Foulis
N° 3487, A.D. 1874, and has for its object the reduction in capacity of the
cylinders of such machines, thus enabling them to be worked with higher pressure
than is practicable in the machines as therein described.
The improvements consist in making the cylinder of such machines the moving
part, while the piston and piston rod are fixed to a moveable frame on the
machine.-The drawing rake is attached to the end of the cylinder. The piston
rod is tubular, and has within it a tube of smaller diameter.-This inner tube
conveys the water under pressure to the cylinder, while the annular space between
the two tubes serves as the exhaust from the cylinder.-When working, the water
pressure is always on the back end of the piston, that is, tending to draw the rake
from the retort.--This end of the piston is less in area than the front end, by an
amount equal to the cross sectional area of the tubular piston rod.-A valve is
placed to open a communication between the opposite sides of the piston, when, in
consequence of the difference in areas, the cylinder is caused to move forward into
the retort, the water from the back end of the piston being at the same time
driven to the front end.-When it is desired to reverse the action of the cylinder,
this valve is closed, and the exhaust-valve opened, when the pressure of water
acting only on the back end of the piston, withdraws the cylinder.-The whole of
this arrangement is suspended in a moveable frame which may be raised or
lowered, and which is provided with guides for the purpose of directing the rake
cylinder in its passage to and fro.-The levers for working the valves above
mentioned, are so arranged, that the action of opening or shutting the valves,

page_text: elevates or depresses the rake into a suitable position to pass over and into the
coke in the retort on the forward and backward strokes respectively.
Another modification is to arrange the rake cylinder or tube as described in the
Specification of the said William Foulis N° 3487 A.D. 1874, but having a thick
rake rod which may be either solid or tubular.-In the annular space between the
rake tube and rod the water pressure is maintained constant.-A valve admits the
water pressure to the other side of the piston, which being greater in area than the
front end by the area of the cross section of the piston rod, the piston moves
forward, driving the water in front of it to the source of supply, or to the other
side of the piston, and thus only about one half the quantity of water will
be used.
Another modification consists in working the rake by means of a separate
cylinder, caused to operate chains or ropes; the rake-rod being made hollow and
having water circulating through it; such water being preferably supplied from the
exhaust of the working cylinder.
The invention consists in the third place of apparatus for delivering coal to the
hopper hereinbefore described as placed upon the charging machines, and this
either continuously or intermittently as may be required.
The mechanism constituting this part of the Invention consists of a pair of
endless travelling pitch chains or their equivalent, which travel on pairs of carrier
rollers supported in brackets in front of the bench of retorts, and the whole length
of the retort house and immediately above the hopper of the charging machine or
machines. These chains pass downwards around and under pulleys in the pit
or receptacle whereinto the coal is deposited.-At suitable intervals long scoop-like
receptacles, of the length or nearly the length of the scoops on the machine, are
fitted transversely between the chains, these receptacles being carried upon studs
on which they are free to be moved rotatively.-The receptacles are of less length
than the distance apart between opposite pairs of the carrier pulleys, and they
therefore pass freely between them.-By virtue of these receptacles being so
suspended, they, in the course of being traversed upon the carrier pulleys, become
filled with coal each time they pass through the pit or receptacle containing it, and
raise the coal up to the level of the upper carrier pulleys, and so a series of
receptacles thus charged are continuously, or they may be intermittently, traversed
along the whole line or bench of the retorts.
When it is desired to discharge the coal from any one of the receptacles into the
hopper on a charging machine, the attendant at the charging machine by means of
a lever attached thereto, causes a stop to be raised, which, as any one of the
receptacles comes in contact with it, causes that receptacle to be turned upwards
on its axis, and to discharge its contents of coal into the hopper placed at the top
of the charging machine.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood we now
proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode or manner in or under
which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being
had to the accompanying Drawings and to the Letters and Figures marked thereon
that is to say :-
The first part of our present Invention relates to retort charging machines and
whilst being applicable to retort charging machines of various types is especially
adapted for what are known as the "Foulis hydraulic charging machines."
In carrying out this part of our present Invention as represented in transverse
section at Figure 1, Sheet 1, we provide the hopper a, at the upper part of the
charging machine represented at that Figure, and into which hopper a, the coal is
delivered. At the lower part of this hopper a, the feed-wheel b, is provided for
feeding the coal in regulated quantity to the scoops c, d, and e.
In order to direct the coal into any particular scoop of the charging machine, or
into a scoop in any one of its positions vertically, when a raising and lowering
scoop is used, the vertical enclosure or passage f, is placed below the feeding
wheel b, and in this passage f, the inclined divisions g, are situate, extending

page_text: partly across the width of the said passage f.-The doors h, i, and j, are placed at
the inner side of the passage f, one opposite each scoop c, d, and e, respectively, or
in the case of charging machines wherein one scoop only is used, these doors are
placed opposite the different positions into which the said scoop is brought for
charging the different retorts. Each of the doors h, i, and j, is so arranged, that,
when it is opened by turning it on its axis k, it forms a continuous guide from the
inclined division g, next it to the scoop, so that the coal falling thereon from the
hopper a, above, is directed into any particular scoop required, that is to say, if
the scoop e, be required to be filled with coal, the doors h, and i, are turned into the
positions represented in dotted lines, so that the coal falling from the hopper a, has
a clear passage down the enclosure f, to the door j, by which it is directed into the
scoop e.
As regards this part of our present invention what we consider to be novel and
original and therefore claim is:-
The retort charging machine provided with the hopper a, feed-wheel b, vertical
passage f, inclined divisions g, and the pivoted doors h, i, and j, substantially as and
for the purposes herein before set forth with reference to Figure 1, of the
accompanying Drawings
The second part of our present Invention relates to improvements in the
hydraulic drawing machines described in the Specification of the said William
Foulis N° 3487, A.D. 1874, and has for its object, the reduction in capacity of the
cylinders of such machines, thus enabling them to be worked with higher pressure
than is practicable in the machines as therein described.
In carrying out this part our present Invention as represented partly in
longitudinal section at Figure 2, and in side elevation on a reduced scale at
Figure 3, we construct the cylinder 1, of such machines as the moving part, while
the piston m and piston rod n, are fixed to the moveable frame o, on the said
machine. The drawing rake p, (Figure 3,) is attached to the end of the cylinder 1,
by means of the pin q, or the said rake p, may be secured to the cylinder l,
by any other suitable means.-The piston rod n, is tubular, and has within
it the tube r, of smaller diameter. This inner tube r, conveys the water
under pressure, through the tube 8, to the cylinder 1, at the back end of the
piston m, while the annular space t, between the two tubes r, and n, serves as
the exhaust from the cylinder 7, which exhaust enters the said space t, from the
front end of the piston m, through the holes u.-The tube r, at its end,
communicates with the chamber v, whose end is fitted with the valve w, and
valve-seat c When working this construction of drawing machine, the water
pressure is always on the back end of the piston m, that is to say, always tending
to draw the rake p, from the retort.-This back end of the piston m, is less in area
than the front end, by an amount equal to the cross sectional area of the tubular
piston rod n. The valve w, is provided to open a communication between the
opposite sides of the piston m, when, in consequence of the before mentioned
difference in areas, by the opening of this valve w, the cylinder 7, is caused to
move forward into the retort; the water from the back end of the piston m, being
at the same time driven to the front end, along with the water entering the
cylinder under pressure, through the tube r.
When it is desired to reverse the action of the cylinder 1, the valve w, is closed
and the exhaust valve (not represented on the accompanying Drawings) is opened,
when the pressure of the water passing into the cylinder 2, through the tubes r,
and 8, acting only on the back end of the piston m, withdraws the cylinder 4, from
the retort, the exhaust from the front end of the piston m, passing out of the
cylinder, through the holes u, and through the annular space t.
The whole of this arrangement of mechanism is suspended in the moveable
frame o, which may be raised or lowered, the said frame o, being suspended by a
rope or chain attached to the eye a¹, the said rope or chain passing up and over
any pulley arrangement of suitable construction.-The frame o, is so constructed as
to constitute guides which are provided for the purpose of directing the rako

page_text: cylinder 1, in its passage into and out of the retorts, such cylinder being fitted with
the carriage b¹, and rollers c³, which traverse along the said guides.-The levers
(one only of which is shewn on the accompanying Drawings at d¹,) are so arranged
that the action of opening or shutting the valve w, and the exhaust valve before
mentioned, elevates or depresses the rake p, into a suitable position to pass over
and into the coke in the retort on the forward and backward strokes respectively.
As regards this part of our Invention what we consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim is :-
The improvements in retort charging machines shewn at Figures 2, and 3, of
the annexed Drawings, in which the outer cylinder carries the rake and is the
moveable feature thereof, whilst the piston is attached to a hollow piston rod and
is the fixed feature, the same being provided with a valve, by opening or closing
which, the water is made to act upon either the front or the back end of the piston,
or on both the front and back ends, the areas of which portions are different, all as
and for the purposes substantially as herein before described.
As a modification of the drawing machine herein last described, we arrange the
rake cylinder or tube as described in the Specification of the said William Foulis
N° 3487, A.D. 1874, but having a thick rake rod which may be either solid or
tubular. In the annular space between the rake tube and rod, the water pressure
is maintained constant.-A valve admits the water pressure to the other side of
the piston, which, being greater in area than the front end, by an amount equal to
the cross-sectional area of the piston rod, the piston moves forward, driving the
water in front of it, to the source of supply, or to the other side of the piston, and
thus only about one half the quantity of water will be used.-This modified form
of drawing machine is represented on Sheet 2, of the accompanying Drawings, in
longitudinal section at Figure 4; Figures 5, and 6., being sections of a detached
portion of the same. The rake or piston rod el, is in this form of machine either
of solid, as shewn, or of tubular construction.-In the annular space f¹, between
the rake-tube and rod e¹, the water is maintained constant.-The valve g³, when
in the position represented at Figure 5, admits the water, under pressure, to the
other side of the piston h¹, that to say, to the back end of the same, which being
greater in area than the front end, by an amount equal to the cross-sectional area
of the rake or piston rod e¹, causes the piston h¹ to move forward, driving the
water in front of it, in the direction of the arrows, through the tube i², and valve-
box, along with the water under pressure entering at the inlet k³, through the
tube 7, to the back end of the piston h¹.
.
When it is desired to reverse the action of the rake or piston rod e', that is to
say, to withdraw the rake from the retort, the valve g¹, is brought over into the
position in which it is represented at Figure 6, when the water under pressure
entering at k¹, passes in the direction of the arrow m¹, to the front end of the
piston h¹, thus causing the piston to move backward, driving the water out from
the back of the same, through the tube 1, to the exhaust port n¹.-The position in
which the valve g¹, is represented at Figure 4, is that when the rake is stationary.
As regards this part of our invention what we consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim is :-
The improvements in retort drawing machines shewn at Figures 4, 5 and 6, of
the annexed Drawings in which the rake is attached to a thick piston rod and its
motions controlled by the passage of water through admission and exhaust ports
by means of a D, or slide or equivalent valve operating thereon all substantially as
hereinbefore described.
:
Another modification consists in working the rake by means of a separate
cylinder, caused to operate chains or ropes; the rake rod being made hollow and
paving water circulating through it; such water being preferably supplied from the
exhaust of the working cylinder.
This construction of Drawing machine is represented in longitudinal section at
Figure 7, wherein the cylinder o¹, operates the rake p¹, by means of the chains or
opes g¹.-At the outer end of the piston rod ¹, there is fitted the toothed rack 8',

page_text: which engages with the toothed pinion t¹, secured to the shaft u¹. The cylinder o¹,
and its attachments are secured to the fixed frame carrying the rake.-Upon the
shaft u', there is also secured the drum v¹, whose groove may be formed either for
the reception of a chain, or rope, and to which, both ends of the chain or rope are
fastened. The chain or rope q¹, passes from one side of the drum vl, up to and over
the wheel or pulley w', which is carried upon a bracket fixed to the framing a¹, of
the machine. The chain or rope q¹, then passes horizontally to and over the wheel
or pulley y¹, being fixed at the point z, and from this point to the wheel or pulley 2¹,
carried upon a bracket situated at and secured to the opposite end of the
framing From this wheel z¹ the chain or rope q¹, passes to and under the wheel
or pulley a³, from which it is carried up to and over the wheel or pulley b², carried
by a bracket secured to any fixed part of the frame carrying the rake, from which
it is again brought down to the drum v¹.-The chain or rope q', may be coiled upon
the drum vl, with one or more coils, and it is further secured to the carriage c³, of
the machine at the point as hereinbefore mentioned.-It is obvious that any
rotation of the drum v¹, in one direction or the other causes the carriage c² and
with it the rake p³, to travel horizontally into or out of the retort. This drawing
machine is suspended by the chain or rope d², in a similar manner to the drawing
inachines hereinbefore described and represented at Figures 2 to 6 (inclusive). The
rake-rod e³, is made hollow, so that water may circulate therein, this water being
supplied by the exhaust from the cylinder o¹, which passes to the end of the said
rake-rod e, through the inner tube f2, being drawn in by the outward stroke of the
rake rod and expelled therefrom by the backward stroke, and returns along the
annular space formed between the said inner tube f2; and the hollow rake-rod e³.
The piston valves g³, which regulate the supply and exhaust of water to the
cylinder o¹, are operated by means of the lever h³, the outer arm h³, of which is
attached to the rod h, connected to any part of the framing which constitutes a
fixed point relatively therewith. The position of the arm h³, thereof, regulating the
tilting of the framing x³, and the rake p¹, as required. In place of a hydraulic
cylinder and piston being used to operate the toothed rack st, a rotary hydraulic
or equivalent motor may be employed for that purpose.
As regards this part of our present Invention what we consider to be novel and
original and therefore claim is:-
The improvements in retort charging machines shewn at Figure 7, of the annexed
Drawings in which the carriage carrying the rake rod is combined with, and operated
by, the chain gearing shewn in the said Figure. The chain gearing being driven by
a bydraulic cylinder operating a rack and pinion, or by a rotary hydraulic engine
or equivalent motor; the exhaust water from the hydraulic motor when such is
used being employed for cooling the rake rod, all substantially as hereinbefore
described.
The third part of our present invention consists in the apparatus for delivering
coal to the hopper a, hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1, and as
placed upon the charging machines, and this either continuously or intermittently
as may be required.
In carrying out this part of our invention as represented at Figures 8 and 9
respectively in plan and front elevation and on an enlarged scale at Figures 1,
and 10 respectively in front elevation and side elevation, we provide a pair of
endless travelling pitch chains or their equivalent, represented on the accompanying
Drawings by the dot and pick lines . These chains 3, travel on pairs of carrier
rollers, supported in the brackets k², in front of the bench of retorts and the
whole length of the retort house and immediately above the hopper or hoppers a,
of the charging machine or machines. These chains 2, pass downwards around
and under the pulleys, in the pit or receptacle m³, whereinto the coal is
deposited. At suitable intervals the long scoop-like receptacles n', of the length or
nearly the length of the scoops c, d, and e, on the machine, are fitted transversely
between the chains i, as represented more particularly at Figure 10. These
receptacles n³, are carried upon the studs p' on which they are free to be moved

page_text: rotatively. The receptacles n³, are further of less length than the distance apart
between opposite pairs of carrier rollers, and they therefore pass freely between
them. By virtue of these receptacles n³, being so suspended upon the studs p³,
they, in course of being traversed upon the carrier rollers ³, become filled with
coal each time they pass through the pit or receptacle m², containing it, and raise
the coal up to the level of the upper carrier pulleys, and so a series of receptacles n³,
thus charged with coal are continuously, or they may be intermittently, traversed
along the whole line or bench of the retorts.
When is is desired to discharge the coal from any one of the receptacles n', into
the hopper a, on a charging machine, the attendant at the charging machine by
means of the lever q³, (Figures 1 and 9) attached thereto causes the stop ², to be
raised, which, as any one of the receptacles n³, comes in contact with it, causes that
receptacle to be turned upwards on its axis and to discharge its contents of coal
into the hopper a, provided on the charging machine.
At Figure 11, is shewn in transverse section a modification of the arrangement
for carrying the receptacles n³. In this modification the receptacles n³, in place
of being solely suspended by the pitch-chains ³, are fitted with carrier rollers &²,
which, on their forward journey, run upon the upper side of the top flange of the
channel irons to, and on the return journey travel upon the upper side of the
bottom flange of the said channel iron.
As regards this part of our invention what we consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim is :-
The arrangement of mechanism by means of which a series of scoop-like
receptacles are traversed, continuously or intermittently, so as to automatically
charge themselves with coal, and discharge the same into the hopper at the upper
part of the charging machines when such is required, substantially as herein before
described.
In Witness Whereof I the said William Foulis have hereunto set my hand and
seal this ninth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and eighty-four.
WILLIAM FOULIS (L.s.)