Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Gas Retorts.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 18th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 27th J.n.; 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Gas Retorts.
We FREDERICK BEALE and THOMAS FREDERICK ENNIS of The Gas Light
and Company Nine Elms in the County of Sunny, Cill
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for charging gas
retorts and has for its object to distribute an even and uniform layer of conl
over the bottom of the retorts, to reduce the loss of heat by radiation after the
retorts have been drawn, and to generally simplify the process of charging gas
retorts.
The apparatus is an addition to the machine for drawing retorts described in the
Specification of Abbott Quincey Ross Patent No. 5209 dated 20th December 1879.
It consists of one or more (preferably three) troughs, to contain the coal to be
charged, fixed in tiers parallel to and close alongside the three rakes of the Ross
drawing machine. Within each of these troughs rests an iron or steel bar of any
suitable section and somewhat longer than the trough. Across this bar at equal
distances from one another are attached push plates or scrapers of any suitable size
or shape and fixed either at an angle or perpendicular to the bar, the whole forming
e pusher,
The troughs are filled with coal from hoppers caused to move on rail, parallel to
the troughs and having one or more outlets according to the number of troughs
employed.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Immediately the retorts are drawn
the machine is moved slightly so as to bring the troughs, filled with coal, in front of
the empty retorts. The troughs, or suitable extension pieces, are moved forward
into the mouthpieces of, and up to, the clay retorts. Each pusher is, in turn,
attached by any suitable means to the rake traveller of the Ross drawing machine
and the traveller being caused to move forward the pusher is carried with it and
pushes the coal froin the trough into the retort. On the return stroke the pusher
is elevated and passes over the top of the charge deposited in the retort.
Dated this 20th day of March 1893
FREDK. BEALE.
T. F. ENNIS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Gas Retorts.
We, FREDERICK BEALE and THOMAS FREDERICK ENNIS, of The Gas Light
and Coke Company, Nine Elms Lane in the County of Surrey, Civil Engineers
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 certain improvements in apparatus for charging gas
retorts and has for its object to distribute an even and uniform layer of coal
over the bottom of the retorts, to reduce the loss of heat by radiation after the
retorts have been drawn, and to generally simplify the process of charging gas
retorts.
The apparatus is an addition to the machine for drawing retorts described in the

page_text: Specification of Abbott Quinrey Ross, Patent No. 5209 dated 20th December 1879.
The improvements consist of troughs, to contain the coal to be charged, fixed on
the frame of the machine in tiers to suit the heights of the retorts, and close along-
side the reciprocating traveller of the Ross drawing machine, but on the opposite
side of the traveller to that of the drawing rakes. "These troughs are fitted with
movalde extension pieces to continue them to the inside of the mouthpieces of the
retorts, and have working in them rakes or pushers fixed to the aforesaid traveller,
by means of which the charges of coal me pushed into the retorts. On the return
stroke of the traveller the pushers are elevated, and pass over the coal deposited in
the retorts. By these additions one machine may be used both for drawing and
charging.
The apparatus will be clearly understood by reference to the figures in the
annexed drawings.
Figure 1. is a front elevation of the machine.
Figure 2. is a side elevation.
The troughs A are fixed on a framework of angle iron su arranged that the
extension pieces I may work ensily under the front part of the troughs. The
troughs are constructed of metal (preferably steel) plate, and are of sufficient
length and depth to suit the retorts to be charged and the thickness of charge
required. The extension pieces are also of metal (preferably steel) plate of a
length to suit the extension requited. They may lie actuated by any suitable
mechanism such as the arrangement, shown in the accompanying drawings, which
consists of a nut C, fixed on the bottom of each extension piece, and through which
works a screw connected by a rod D to the back of the machine and terminating in
a wheel E, by turning which the operator may drive the extension piece into the
mouthpiece of the retort.
Within each trough rests a steel tee bar F of a length sufficient for the stroke
required. Across this bar, and on the part resting in the trough, are riveted steel
push plates or scrapers Gat convenient distances from one another and fixed at n
slight angle to the bar. The push plates are cut to a shape to suit the retort, and
are of a depth sufficient for the charge required. Near each end of the pusher
bar is fixed a pair of rollers 11, so arranged that they take all the weight of the
pusher and keep the push plates clear of the bottom of the trough, thus reducing
the friction, when the pusher is in action, to a minimum.
On the traveller are bolted three stout rods J, extending to the under side of
the cranked pieces K bolted on the pushers and through which a pin L is put to
secure each pusher in turn to the traveller. Each cranked piece is of a depth
sufficient for the elevation required, and is free to slide on the rol J so as to keep
the pusher in a horizontal position when elevated before withdrawal from the
retort.
The apparatus for elevating each pusher in turn, after the charge has been
deposited in the retort, consists of a bar M similar to that supporting the front
ends of the rakes of the Ross drawing machine. This bar is secured, in suitable
guides, alongside the bar for the drawing rakes, in such manner that it may be, by
a system of levers worked from the piston rod of a small cylinder, or by other
suitable menus, moved vertically to elevate or depress the pushers. On this bar
above each trough is fixed an arm N extending to the centre of the trough, and
ending in an eye () through which slides a clutch which fixes over the flange of
the tee bar of the pusher. When the bar M is depressed the clutch is fixed to
the eye by means of the pin Q, which is worked from the back of the machine
by the lever R, and, when the bar M is elevated the pusher is elevated with it, the
small catch S fixes on to the rod J, and the pusher is withdrawn in a horizontal
position, the tee bar sliding through the clutch.
For filling the troughs with coal three small hoppers T are employed, which
receive their charges of coal from stationary hoppers in the retort house or from
other convenient source. These hoppers are mounted on a carriage, which runs on
rails parallel to the troughs, and, are fitted with discharging doors, shoots, and

page_text: levers. It is intended to fill the troughs by running the hoppers along them, and
regulating by the levers U the quantity of coal discharged, so that ench division
formed by the push plates shall receive its proper quantity.
The action of the machine is as follows:
During the time one operator is drawing three retorts, a second operator fills the
hoppers T with coal which he discharges into the troughs. The machine is then
moved until the troughs are opposite to the retorts to be charged, and the wheels E
are turned, thus driving the extension pieces into the mouthpieces of the retorts.
The operator then, by means of the pin L, connects one of the pushers to the rod J
of the traveller I, depresses the bar M, and, by operating the lever R moves the
pin Q, which fixes the clutch P to the eye Q. He then drives forward the traveller,
thus pushing the coal into the retort. The bar M, carrying the pusher with it, is
then elevated, the counter balance weight V assisting the operation, the small
catch S comes into action, and on the reverse stroke of the traveller the pusher is
withdrawn, passing over the coal deposited in the retort.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. The general combination of parts forming a retort charging apparatus,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the annexed drawings.
2. In retort charging apparatus, the combination of a reciprocating traveller
with troughs to contain the coal and pushers for charging, substantially as described
and illustrated.
3. In retort charging apparatus, the combination of troughs and movable hoppers
to fill the same, substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 18th day of December 1893.
FREDK. BEALE.
T. F. ENNIS.