IMPROVEMENTS MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR." IN MACHINERY FOR
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Murdoch Napier, of York Road, Lambeth,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR."
IN MACHINERY FOR THE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Murdoch Napier
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th September 1860.
I, JAMES MURDOCH NAPIER. of York Road, Lambeth, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR," to be as follows:-
My Invention refers to centrifugal machines; such, machines have long
been employed in the process of sugar manufacture, termed purging or curing,
that is, in separating the molasses and other liquid and coloring matters from
the crystals. The machine at present in most common use consists of a
perforated cylinder lined with wire gauze. The cylinder is closed at one end,
where it is fixed to a spindle passing through its centre, and at the other end,,
which is placed uppermost it is furnished with a flange or rim. The "matter "
(by which term I shall refer to the crystals and fluid when combined) is poured.
into the cylinder, which is made to revolve at a high velocity. The liquid and
[Price 8d.]

page_text: impurities are thrown off through the wire gauze and the perforations in the
cylinder into an outer fixed casing, and the crystals retained by the gauze
remain in the cylinder. As soon as the first liquid or molasses has escaped, if
the sugar is to be further purged, the attendant introduces clear liquid or
syrup, and when the sugar is dry stops the machine in order that the crystals
may be removed. Much time and power are consumed in stopping and
starting these machines, owing to the high speed at which they are driven, and
the frequency these operations have to be performed. Much time and labor
are also expended in charging and discharging the cylinder. It should,
however, be stated that it has been proposed so to construct centrifugal
machines that they may be supplied and discharged without stopping the
machines, but this class of machines has not, I believe, come into general use.
Among the objects of my Invention are the saving of time, power, and
labour in the process, thus securing increased production and greater beneficial
results.
The general arrangement and construction of my improved machines may
be very
considerably varied, so that they will operate in some respects
differently. I shall confine my description to some of the more marked
varieties, and, for the sake of clearness, I shall suppose that the axis of the
rotating container is in all cases placed vertically, which position I prefer,
although it may be arranged to work horizontally, or at any angle desired.
I may remark that all my improved machines will discharge not only the
liquid, but also the dried sugar from the rotating container by the centrifugal
force, and as the matter may, in all cases, be supplied to the rotating container
while it is in motion, the rotating action of these machines will be con-
tinuous.
I will proceed to refer to the following combinations:-
No. 1. Machines which require an attendant to effect the charging of the
rotating container, the liquoring of the sugar, and the discharging of the
finished sugar for the rotating container.
No. 2. Machines which require an attendant to effect the charging of the
rotating container, but which liquor the sugar and discharge the finished sugar
from the rotating container self-acting.
No. 3. Machines which do not require an attendant either to charge the
rotating container, or to liquor the sugar, or to discharge it from the rotating
.container; of these last two classes may be mentioned.
A, machines in which the rotating container is wholly charged and wholly
discharged at intervals, the liquoring being effected at corresponding inter-
mediate intervals.

page_text: B, machines in which the rotating container is constantly receiving fresh
matter at the same time that it is discharging the liquid as well as the finished
sugar; the liquoring is also continuous.
I will now describe in outline the mechanical construction of my improved
machines without entering minutely into the details, which will be fully
explained by the aid of Drawings in my Complete Specification.
The rotating container which I use in the various combinations I have
referred to is peculiar. It is cylindrica! in form, and is provided with apertures
in its circumference, which are commanded by valves or slides; these valves
or slides may be withdrawn either by the attendant or by the action of the
machine, as the case may be. so as to leave the apertures open, which is their
condition when the dried sugar is being discharged through them out of the
rotating container, and they may be shut in the same way, or they may be
arranged so as to close by the centrifugal force to prevent the escape of the
new matter to be supplied to the rotating container.
The combined area of the apertures referred to is small when compared with
the area of the circumference of the rotating container, so that when my
rotating containers are formed nearly like the cylinders ordinarily used, but
with apertures in the circumference, a quantity of sugar will remain in the
cylinder being retained by the cylindrical surface of the circumference, while
The sugar left in the cylinder will
the rest will escape by the apertures.
present a series of surfaces inclining towards the apertures. For instance, let
us suppose an opening one-half inch wide made from top to bottom of the
cylinder, the sugar will escape through the opening by the centrifugal force
until that left in the cylinder forms an incline on each side of the opening; and
if apertures of this description were made at intervals, say, of three inches,
round the cylinder, the sugar would escape out of the cylinder from all the
apertures, but on that part of the circumference between each opening the
sugar would remain in the form of a wedge, the base or large end of the wedge
resting against the cylinder, and the thin edge pointing towards the axis or
centre of motion. Or, if we suppose the cylinder to be divided in its depth
into rings, say, three inches wide, with apertures or spaces left between each
ring, say, of half an inch, the sugar would escape from these ring apertures;
but a portion of the sugar would remain in the cylinder against the surface of
the rings, and would form rings of a wedge section, the thin edge of the
Or, if instead of continuous slit
wedge representing the inner diameter.
apertures, lengthwise or circular, we, as it were, partially close up the slits and
leave square or oblong holes in the circumference of the cylinder, the sugar
will still escape from these holes; but as we suppose the holes to be of lesser

page_text: aggregate area than the slits, more sugar will be left in the cylinder against its
circumference, and it will present a series of pockets. with sides converging to
the holes in the cylinder. But instead of providing apertures in a cylinder
like that now in use, which would always retain a portion of the sugar during
the working of the machine, through which sugar the liquid must find its way.
My cylinders, or (as I term them) rotating containers, may be constructed,
and I prefer to construct them according to the size and form of the apertures
desired, so that the interior surface against which the centrifugal force of the
sugar is exerted is a succession of converging inclines tending towards the aper-
tures in the circumference of the rotating container. These inclines will represent
wedges running from top to bottom of the rotating container or rings of wedge
section, or pockets with inclined converging sides, according to the form and
direction of the apertures in the rotating container, like the sugar left un-
discharged by the centrifugal force in an ordinary cylinder provided with
apertures, as I have just explained. This rotating container is, therefore, so
constructed that when the apertures provided in its circumference are open
the whole of the sugar or dried crystals in the rotating container may be dis-
charged through the apertures by the centrifugal force. My rotating con-
tainers are lined with suitable wire gauze, which covers the inclined surfaces
leading to the apertures in the circumference, and I prefer. to make the surface
upon which the wire gauze rests a corrugated surface, so that the corrugations
will form channels for the passage of the liquid out of the rotating container
after it has passed through the meshes of the wire gauze. The valves or
slides before mentioned as covering the apertures in the rotating container will
not prevent the escape of the liquid by the corrugations or channels, but will
only block up the openings by which the crystals effect their exit. These
valves or slides may be perforated or corrugated, and covered with wire gauze,
if desired.
In No. 1 combination the attendant may charge the rotating container with
the matter, either by opening a valve and allowing it to flow in from a reser-
voir, or by pouring it in from a vessel by hand, or in any convenient way.
The liquor for further cleansing the crystals may be introduced in a similar
manner at the attendant's discretion, and when the process is complete the
valves or slides covering the apertures in the circumference of the rotating
container may be opened by the attendant, either by his throwing into gear
parts of the machine which will act to open the apertures, or by a more direct
means, such as a lever action, or in such a manner as may be found most
convenient according to the arrangement of the machine. I provide an outer
rotating casing, into which in turns both the liquid and the finished sugar are

page_text: thrown when discharged from the rotating container. This casing is so shaped
as to discharge the liquid and crystals from one circular ring opening. This
ring opening is brought opposite to passages leading to the proper receptacles
for the liquid and for the crystals at the proper times by the attendant; and if
it is desired to keep the liquor which has been used to purge or wash the
sugar separate from the first liquid or molasses, a receptacle must be provided
for it and a directing passage which must be brought opposite the ring
aperture in the rotating casing at the proper moment.
In combination No. 2. the attendant will charge the rotating container,
as in No. 1, and will set parts of the machine in action, which after an
allotted number of revolutions, will by acting on a valve or cock connected with
the liquor supply cause the admission of the desired quantity of liquor into the
rotating container, and will bring the directing passage for liquor into the
proper position to conduct the liquor when discharged from the rotating casing
into the receptacle provided for it, and after a further number of revolutions to
give time for the escape of the liquor will bring the directing passage for the
finished sugar opposite the aperture in the rotating casing and withdraw the
valves or slides covering the apertures in the rotating container to allow of the
discharge of the sugar. A bell may be connected with the machine to call the
attendant when the operation is completed.
Of the two kinds of machines, No. 3, referred to under letters A and B, I
may explain that machine A is nearly similar to No. 2, just described, but
differs inasmuch as it is provided with self-acting mechanical means for
admitting the required quantity of matter to the rotating container at the
proper times and for bringing the directing passage through which the first
liquid or molasses is to pass opposite the aperture in the rotating casing at the
proper times as well as for carrying on the operations of liquoring and dis-
charging the sugar in regular course so as to render the machine completely
self-acting.
I will now proceed to describe machine B. In this machine the operations
of introducing the matter into the machine, liquoring the sugar, and discharging
the finished sugar, all proceed simultaneously. The rotating container is
arranged for the discharge of the liquid and sugar in the same manner as has
been already described, but in order to adapt it for carrying forward the several
operations at the same time the circumference of the rotating container is
divided internally into a number of compartments by plates radiating
towards the centre and running from top to bottom of the rotating container;
these plates are of suitable width so as to make the compartments of sufficient
depth to contain the quantity of matter which it is found most convenient to

page_text: admit into them, taking into account the general dimensions of the machines.
Any convenient means may be employed for supplying the matter and liquor
to the machine; the flow of each through their conducting channels or tubes
may be regulated by graduated valves or cocks, or in cases when the quantity
passing through the same opening is liable to vary seriously owing to a varying
"head" or from other causes, archimedian screws or other like means may be
used to maintain and regulate the feed. The matter flows from the supply
pipe into the machine, entering a rotating chamber placed in the interior of the
rotating container. This chamber is fixed to the main spindle and moves
with it, while the rotating container has a differential speed imparted to it by
means of gearing or of gearing and band pullies combined. so arranged that
the differential velocities of the rotating container and the rotating chamber
may be varied to suit the class of matter to be operated upon. The rotating
chamber is furnished with two apertures placed opposite each other running
from bottom to top, and it is formed so as to incline the matter to pass freely
out at the apertures by the centrifugal force. As the matter flows out of the
apertures it passes into two opposite compartments of the rotating container,
and by the time these are sufficiently filled the differential movement has
brought the apertures opposite other two compartments, and so on. The
liquor is received from its supply pipe into an annular space from which it
flows through two channels, the one opposite the other, into opposite chambers
formed in a cylinder which I shall term the liquor cylinder. This cylinder
encloses the rotating chamber, but openings are made in its circumference
corresponding with the apertures in the rotating chamber, through which
apertures the matter passes to the rotating container. The liquor escapes from the
liquor cylinder through two series of small holes pierced at opposite points of the
circumference of the cylinder and at convenient distances from the apertures
leading to the rotating chamber. When the compartments of the rotating
container have been filled with matter they pass on in virtue of the differential
motion, and each in succession comes opposite one of the series of small holes
in the liquor cylinder, and receives a supply of liquor, the sugar being by that
time comparatively free from its first liquid or molasses. The sugar still
passes on until the rotating container has made nearly half a revolution upon
the main spindle to which the rotating chamber and liquor chamber are fixed,
and as the rotating chamber has two apertures on opposite sides of the centre
for the supply of the matter, and the liquoring cylinder has also two series of
discharge holes on opposite sides of the centre for the supply of the liquor it
follows that in one half turn of the rotating container upon the spindle the
whole of the compartments will have been supplied with matter, and that one

page_text: half turn will also suffice to liquor the contents of the rotating container.
Let us suppose that the sugar in cach compartment of the rotating container
travels, say, one quarter of a turn on the spindle, during which time the first
liquid or molasses is being discharged; that at this point it meets the cleansing
liquor issuing from the small holes in the liquor cylinder, and that the
remaining portion of its journey is allowed for getting rid of the last liquor.
It is necessary to empty the compartments in succession as they arrive with
the sugar towards the completion of the half revolution upon the main spindle
in order that they may be ready to receive fresh matter by the time they come
again opposite the apertures in the rotating chamber, and for this purpose I
provide cams or tappets which withdraw the valves or slides of two opposite
compartments of the rotating container which contain the sugar cured and
ready for discharging, and of the other compartments in succession as they
arrive with the finished sugar. The valves or slides may be balanced so that
they will close by the centrifugal force when permitted by the cams or tappets
after the sugar is discharged.
In order to keep the liquids and the finished sugar separate when they are
discharged from the rotating container, I provide a rotating casing which is
fixed to the spindle, and encloses the rotating container, but at two opposite
points of its circumference it has openings through which the sugar passes
into an outer fixed casing, when it is discharged in succession from the com-
partments of the rotating container. The liquid is caught in the rotating
casing, which may be made conical, being larger in diameter at the top, and
so the liquid will rise and may escape from apertures in the casing at the top.
If it is desired to keep the first liquid or molasses separate from the second
liquor used to further cleanse the crystals the casing may be divided into
compartments for each liquid, and if the apertures for the exit of the liquids
from the top of the rotating casing are made at different heights. the different
liquids will be discharged at different heights, and may be received in distinct
fixed ring chambers, from which they can be conducted into convenient recep-
tacles. Although I have only referred to one cleansing liquor being used,
chambers or compartments may be made, and sets of exit holes furnished in
the rotating liquor cylinder for the introduction of other liquor, or of liquors
in different stages of purity, the purest liquor being used for the final washing
or liquoring. Separate supply pipes and annular spaces should be furnished
for each liquor, and proper compartments in the rotating casing. with exit
apertures at different heights, and ring receiving chambers in order to
keep the several liquors separate. If desired, the compartments in the
rotating chamber may be washed with hot or cold water in succession after

page_text: the sugar is discharged from them, the water being introduced and kept sepa-
rate in the same manner as the liquor. When this plan is adopted, the
matter cannot be supplied so soon as it could otherwise be supplied to the
compartments of the rotating container just discharged, for a certain portion
of the circumference must be dedicated to the washing process referred to.
It will be observed that I introduce the matter into the compartments of the
rotating container at two opposite points of the circumference, that I liquor at
two opposite points, and that I discharge the sugar at two opposite points; my
object in so doing is to balance the rotating portions of the machine as nearly
as possible. The outer fixed casing into which the finished sugar is received
may be coned so as to be wider at bottom in order to prevent the sugar build-
ing against its surface, and to facilitate the falling of the sugar to the bottom
of the fixed casing on to a rotating plate, which may be provided to carry the
sugar round to an exit opening, out of which it is directed by a fixed inclined
scraper, and falls into a convenient receptacle, from which it may be removed
by shovel and barrow; or it may fall upon a carrying band, and be thus con-
veyed to a convenient part of the premises, or other apperatus may be used
for this purpose arranged according to the construction of the building, and
the requirements of the establishment. Similar means may be used for
effecting the exit of the finished sugar from the outer fixed casings of my
machines before referred to, and for conveying the sugar away.
I have already explained that the rotating container is made to turn upon
the main spindle by a differential motion obtained by gearing alone, or by
gearing and pullies, and bands combined. I prefer this last method as it
affords great facility for varying the speed of the motion according to the class
of sugar to be treated. Suppose for instance, that with the machine revolving
at, say, one thousand to twelve hundred revolutions per minute, it is desired to
allow the sugar to remain in the machine under treatment for ten minutes; it
is only necessary for the man in charge to put the band upon the proper
size speed pullies (or if coned drums be used to the proper position on the
drums), in order that the rotating container shall complete its half revolution
upon the main spindle in ten minutes, he will of course also adjust the supplies
of matter and liquor. If one minute only is to be allowed for the treatment
of the sugar the attendant will put the band on to the pullies provided for
this speed, and increase the supply of matter and liquor accordingly.
All my machines may be arranged so as to admit of their suspension to
prevent the vibrations consequent upon the high velocities at which they are
driven being communicated to the buildings in which they are placed, and so
render a solid foundation unnecessary, or they may be arranged for fixing on

page_text: a solid foundation. They may also be driven from top or bottom, and by any
convenient means.
The outer fixed casings of my machines may be provided with a chamber
for steam or hot water to keep the machine warm in order to render the
molasses and liquor more liquid when such is desired.
The valves or slides to which I have referred as used by me to command
the apertures in the rotating container may be connected together when they
are all required to act together as in the machines which discharge the whole
of the sugar at one time from the rotating container, and in the containers
with compartments as for the machine last described the valves commanding
dach compartment, when there are more valves than one, may be connected
together so as to act together. In the various forms of rotating container to
which I have referred that with square or oblong exit apertures may be pre-
ferred, as they can be made of less aggregate area than the other apertures,
and thus the total centrifugal force of the sugar upon them is less than it
would be upon the greater area.
I have already stated that the valves or slides may be arranged so that the
centrifugal force will tend to shut them. The reverse action, if preferred,
may be adopted, and they may be opened instead of being closed by the
centrifugal force.
The matter which is supplied to my machines will be similar to that treated
in machines now used, and the liquors or liquids used for washing the crystals
may be also the same.
In supplying the matter to my machines when the, containers are more than
a certain depth I allow the matter to flow into an inner distributing coned
casing at the upper and smaller end of the cone. This coned casing is
divided into compartments internally by plates radiating towards the centre;
these plates are inclined at the top in the sense in which the machine revolves
to facilitate the entry of the matter, which will find its way down towards the
large end of the cone, but I provide apertures in the distributing coned casing
at different heights, and as the compartments referred to lead to these aper-
tures, it follows that the matter in its passage down the compartments will be
thrown by the centrifugal force out of the apertures, and thus be distributed
over the surface of the rotating container.
In machine B the distributing coned casing when used will be placed
within the rotating chamber, and will discharge the matter distributed into
the chamber. I prefer to make the apertures and compartments in the dis-
tributing coned casing on each side of the centre to correspond so as to preserve
the balance of the rotating parts of the machine.

page_text: Large hard lumps of raw sugar should not be allowed to enter the machine,
as it is of importance that the size of the openings in the rotating containers
shall be kept as small as is consistent with the free exit of the sugar. Crushing
rollers may be used if necessary to break the lumps before the matter passes
into the machines.
SPECIFICATION
in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said James Murdoch Napier in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 15th March 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
MURDOCH NAPIER, of York Road, Lambeth, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said James Murdoch Napier, Her special licence that I, the said James
Murdoch Napier, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said James Murdoch Napier, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said James Murdoch Napier, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Murdoch Napier, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:
My Invention refers to centrifugal machines; such machines have been
long employed in the process of sugar manufacture, termed purging or curing,
that is, in separating the molasses and other liquid and coloring matters from
the crystals.

page_text: The machine at present in- most common use consists of a perforated
cylinder, lined with wire gauze. The cylinder is closed at one end, where it
is fixed to a spindle passing through its centre, and at the other end which is
placed uppermost it is furnished with a flange or rim. The "matter" (by
which term I shall refer to the crystals and fluid when combined) is poured
into the cylinder, which is made to revolve at a high velocity. The liquid and
impurities are thrown off through the wire gauze and the perforations in the
cylinder into an outer fixed casing, and the crystals retained by the gauze
remain in the cylinder. As soon as the first liquid or molasses has escaped, if
the sugar is to be further purged, the attendant introduces clear liquid or
syrup, and when the sugar is dry, stops the machine, in order that the crystals
may be removed.
Much time and power are consumed in stopping and starting these machines,
owing to the high speed at which they are driven and the frequency these
operations have to be performed. Much time and labor are also expended in
charging and discharging the cylinder. It should, however, be stated, that it
has been proposed so to construct centrifugal machines that they may be sup-
plied and discharged without stopping the machines; but this class of machines
has not, I believe, come into general use.
Among the objects of my Invention are the saving of time, power, and
labor in the process, thus securing increased production and greater beneficial
results.
The general arrangement and construction of my improved machines may
be very considerably varied, so that they will operate in some respects differ-
ently. I shall confine my description to some of the more marked varieties,
and for the sake of clearness I shall suppose that the axis of the rotating
container is in all cases placed vertically, which position I prefer, although it
may be arranged to work horizontally or at any angle desired.
I may remark that all my improved machines will discharge not only the
liquid, but also the dried sugar from the rotating container by the centrifugal
force; and as the matter may in all cases be supplied to the rotating con-
tainer while it is in motion, the rotating action of these machines will be
continuous.
I will proceed to refer to the following combinations:-
No. 1. Machines which require an attendant to effect the charging of the
rotating container, the liquoring of the sugar, and the discharging of the
finished sugar from the rotating container.
No. 2. Machines which require an attendant to effect the charging of the

page_text: rotating container, but which liquor the sugar and discharge the finished sugar
from the rotating container self-acting.
No. 3. Machines which do not require an attendant either to charge the
rotating container, or to liquor the sugar, or to discharge it from the rotating
container; of these last two classes may be mentioned.
A, machines in which the rotating container is wholly charged and wholly
discharged at intervals, the liquoring being effected at corresponding inter-
mediate intervals.
B, machines in which the rotating container is constantly receiving fresh
matter, at the same time it is discharging the liquid as well as the finished
sugar; the liquoring is also continuous.
I will now describe in outline the mechanical construction of my improved
machines, without entering minutely into the details which will hereafter be
fully explained by the aid of Drawings.
The rotating container which I use in the various combinations. I have
referred to is peculiar. It is cylindrical in form, and is provided with aper-
tures in its circumference, which are commanded by valves or slides; these
valves or slides may be withdrawn either by the attendant or by the action of
the machine, as the case may be, so as to leave the apertures open, which is
their condition when the dried sugar is being discharged through them out of
the rotating container; and they may be shut in the same way, or they may be
arranged so as to close by the centrifugal force, to prevent the escape of the
new matter to be supplied to the rotating container.
The combined area of the apertures referred to is small when compared
with the area of the circumference of the rotating container, so that when my
rotating containers are formed nearly like the cylinders ordinarily used, but
with apertures in the circumference, a quantity of sugar will remain in the
cylinder, being retained by the cylindrical surface of the circumference, while
the rest will escape by the apertures. The sugar left in the cylinder will
present a series of surfaces inclining towards the apertures. For instance, let
us suppose an opening one-half inch wide made from top to bottom of the
cylinder, the sugar will escape through the opening by the centrifugal force
until that left in the cylinder forms an incline on each side of the opening;
and if apertures of this description were made at intervals, say, of three inches
round the cylinder, the sugar would escape out of the cylinder from all the
apertures, but on that part of the circumference between each opening the
sugar would remain in the form of a wedge, the base or large end of the
wedge resting against the cylinder, and the thin edge pointing towards the axis

page_text: or centre of motion. Or, if we suppose the cylinder to be divided in its depth
into rings, say, three inches wide, with apertures or spaces left between each
ring, say, of half an inch, the sugar would escape from these ring apertures:
but a portion of the sugar would remain in the cylinder against the surface of
the rings, and would form rings of a wedge section, the thin edge of the wedge
representing the inner diameter. Or, if instead of continuous slit apertures
lengthwise or circular, we, as it were, partially close up the slits, and leave
square or oblong holes in the circumference of the cylinder, the sugar will still
escape from these holes, but as we suppose the holes to be of lesser aggregate
area than the slits, more sugar will be left in the cylinder against its cir-
cumference, and it will present a series of pockets with sides converging to
the holes in the cylinder. But instead of providing apertures in a cylinder
like that now in use, which would always retain a portion of the sugar during
the working of the machine, through which sugar the liquid must find its way,
my cylinders or (as I term them) rotating containers may be constructed, and
I prefer to construct them according to the size and form of the apertures
desired, so that the interior surface against which the centrifugal force of the
sugar is exerted is a succession of converging inclines tending towards the
apertures in the circumference of the rotating container. These inclines will
represent wedges running from top to bottom of the rotating container, or
rings of wedge section, or pockets with inclined converging sides, according to
the form and direction of the apertures in the rotating container, like the
sugar left undischarged by the centrifugal force in an ordinary cylinder
provided with apertures, as I have just explained. This rotating container is,
therefore, so constructed, that when the apertures provided in its circumference
are open, the whole of the sugar or dried crystals in the rotating container
may be discharged through the apertures by the centrifugal force.
rotating containers are lined with suitable wire gauze, which covers the
inclined surfaces leading to the apertures in the circumference; and I prefer
to make the surface upon which the wire gauze rests a corrugated surface, so
that the corrugations will form channels for the passage of the liquid out of
the rotating container after it has passed through the meshes of the wire
gauze. The valves or slides before mentioned as covering the apertures in the
rotating container will not prevent the escape of the liquid by the corrugations.
or channels, but will only block up the openings by which the crystals effect
their exit. These valves or slides may be perforated or corrugated, and
covered with wire gauze if desired.
My
In No. 1 combination the attendant may charge the rotating container with
the matter either by opening a valve and allowing it to flow in from a reservoir,

page_text: or by pouring it in from a vessel by hand, or in any convenient way. The
liquor for further cleansing the crystals may be introduced in a similar manner
at the attendant's discretion, and when the process is complete, the valves or
slides covering the apertures in the circumference of the rotating container
may be opened by the attendant, either by his throwing into gear parts of the
machine which will act to open the apertures, or by a more direct means,
such as a lever action, or in such a manner as may be found most convenient
according to the arrangement of the machine. I provide an outer rotating
casing, into which in turns both the liquid and the finished sugar are thrown
when discharged from the rotating container: This casing is so shaped as to
discharge the liquid and crystals from one circular ring opening; this ring
opening is brought opposite to passages leading to the proper receptacles for
the liquid and for the crystals at the proper times by the attendant, and if it is
desired to keep the liquor which has been used to purge or wash the sugar
separate from the first liquid or molasses, a receptacle must be provided for it,
and a directing passage, which must be brought opposite. the ring aperture in
the rotating casing at the proper moment.
In combination No. 2, the attendant will charge the rotating container as
in No. 1, and will set parts of the machine in action, which, after an allotted
number of revolutions will, by acting on a valve or cock connected with the
liquor supply, cause the admission of the desired quantity of liquor into the
rotating container, and will bring the directing passage for liquor into the
proper position to conduct the liquor when discharged from the rotating casing
into the receptacle provided for it, and after a further number of revolutions,
to give time for the escape of the liquor, will bring the directing passage for
the finished sugar opposite the aperture in the rotating casing, and withdraw
the valves or slides covering the apertures in the rotating container, to allow
of the discharge of the sugar. A bell may be connected with the machine to
call the attendant when the operation is completed.
Of the two kinds of machines, No. 3, referred to under letters A and B,
I may explain that machine A is nearly similar to No. 2 just described, but
differs, inasmuch as it is provided with self-acting mechanical means for
admitting the required quantity of matter to the rotating container at the
proper times, and for bringing the directing passage through which the first
liquid or molasses is to pass opposite the aperture in the rotating casing at the
proper times, as well as for carrying on the operations of liquoring and
discharging the sugar in regular course, SO as to render the machine
completely self-acting.
I will now proceed to describe machine B:-In this machine the operations

page_text: of introducing the matter into the machine, liquoring the sugar, and discharg-
ing the finished sugar all proceed simultaneously. The rotating container is
arranged for the discharge of the liquid and sugar in the same manner as has
been already described, but in order to adapt it for carrying forward the
several operations at the same time the circumference of the rotating container
is divided internally into a number of compartments by plates radiating
towards the centre, and running from top to bottom of the rotating container;
these plates are of suitable width, so as to make the compartments of sufficient
depth to contain the quantity of matter which it is found most convenient to
admit into them, taking into account the general dimensions of the machine.
Any convenient means may be employed for supplying the matter and liquor
to the machine; the flow of each through their conducting channels or tubes
may be regulated by graduated valves or cocks, or in cases where the quantity
passing through the same opening is liable to vary seriously, owing to a varying
head," or from other causes. Archimedean screws or other like means may
be used to maintain and regulate the feed. The matter flows from the supply
pipe into the machine, entering a rotating chamber placed in the interior of
the rotating container. This chamber is fixed to the main spindle, and moves
with it while the rotating container has a differential speed imparted to it by
means of gearing, or of gearing and band pullies combined, so arranged that
the differential velocities of the rotating container and the rotating chamber
'
may be varied to suit the class of matter to be operated upon. The rotating
chamber is furnished with two apertures placed opposite each other, running
from bottom to top, and it is formed so as to incline the matter to pass freely
out at the apertures by the centrifugal force. As the matter flows out of the
apertures it passes into two opposite compartments of the rotating container,
and by the time these are sufficiently filled the differential movement has
brought the apertures opposite other two compartments, and so on. The
liquor is received from its supply pipe into an annular space, from which it
flows through two channels, the one opposite the other, into opposite chambers
formed in a cylinder, which I shall term the liquor cylinder. This cylinder
encloses the rotating chamber, but openings are made in its circumference
corresponding with the apertures in the rotating chamber, through which
apertures the matter passes to the rotating container. The liquor escapes
from the liquor cylinder through two series of small holes pierced at opposite
points of the circumference of the cylinder, and at convenient distances from
the apertures leading to the rotating chamber. When the compartments of
the rotating container have been filled with matter they pass on in virtue of
the differential motion, and each in succession comes opposite one of the series

page_text: of small holes in the liquor cylinder, and receives a supply of liquor, the sugar
being by that time comparatively free from its first liquid or molasses. The
sugar still passes on until the rotating container has made nearly half a
revolution upon the main spindle, to which the rotating chamber and liquor
chamber are fixed, and as the rotating chamber has two apertures on opposite
sides of the centre for the supply of the matter, and the liquoring cylinder
has also two series of discharge holes on opposite sides of the centre for
the supply of the liquor, it follows that in one half turn of the rotating
container upon the spindle the whole of the compartments will have been
supplied with matter, and that one half turn will also suffice to liquor
the contents of the rotating container. Let us suppose that the sugar
in each compartment of the rotating container travels, say, one quarter of a
turn on the spindle, during which time the first liquid or molasses is being
discharged, that at this point it meets the cleansing liquor issuing from the
small holes in the liquor cylinder, and that the remaining portion of its journey
is allowed for getting rid of the last liquor. It is necessary to empty the
compartments in succession as they arrive with the sugar towards the com-
pletion of the half revolution upon the main spindle, in order that they may be
ready to receive fresh matter by the time they come again opposite the
apertures in the rotating chamber, and for this purpose I provide cams or
tappets, which withdraw the valves or slides of two opposite compartments of the
rotating container, which contain the sugar cured and ready for discharging, and
of the other compartments in succession as they arrive with the finished sugar.
The valves or slides may be balanced, so that they will close by the centrifugal
force when permitted by the cams or tappets after the sugar is discharged.
In order to keep the liquids and the finished sugar separate when they are
discharged from the rotating container, I provide a rotating casing, which is
fixed to the spindle, and encloses the rotating container, but at two opposite
points of its circumference it has openings, through which the sugar passes
into an outer fixed casing, when it is discharged in succession from the com-
partments of the rotating container. The liquid is caught in the rotating
casing, which may be made conical, being larger in diameter at the top, and
so the liquid will rise and may escape from apertures in the casing at the top.
If it is desired to keep the first liquid or molasses separate from the second
liquor used to further cleanse the crystals, the casing may be divided into com-
partments for each liquid, and if the apertures for the exit of the liquids from
the top of the rotating casing are made at different heights the different liquids
will be discharged at different heights, and may be received in distinct fixed
ring chambers, from which they can be conducted into convenient receptacles.

page_text: Although I have only referred to one cleansing liquor being used, chambers
or compartments may be made, and sets of exit holes furnished in the rotating
liquor cylinder for the introduction of other liquor or of liquors in different
stages of purity, the purest liquor being used for the final washing or liquoring.
Separate supply pipes and annular spaces should be furnished for each liquor,
and proper compartments in the rotating casing with exit apertures at different
heights and ring-receiving chambers, in order to keep the several liquors
separate. If desired, the compartments in the rotating container may be
washed with hot or cold water in succession after the sugar is discharged from
them, the water being introduced and kept separate in the same manner as
the liquor. When this plan is adopted the matter cannot be supplied so soon
as it could otherwise be supplied to the compartments of the rotating container
just discharged, for a certain portion of the circumference must be dedicated to
the washing process referred to. It will be observed that I introduce the
matter into the compartments of the rotating container at two opposite points
of the circumference, that I liquor at two opposite points, and that I discharge
the sugar at two opposite points; my object in so doing is to balance the
rotating portions of the machine as nearly as possible. The outer fixed casing
into which the finished sugar is received may be coned, so as to be wider at
bottom, in order to prevent the sugar building against its surface, and to
facilitate the falling of the sugar to the bottom of the fixed casing on to a
rotating plate, which may be provided to carry the sugar round to an exit
opening, out of which it is directed by a fixed inclined scraper, and falls into a
convenient receptacle, from which it may be removed by shovel and barrow, or
it may fall upon a carrying band, and be thus conveyed to a convenient part
of the premises, or other apparatus may be used for this purpose, arranged
according to the construction of the building and requirements of the establish-
ment; similar means may be used for effecting the exit of the finished sugar
from the outer fixed casings of my machines before referred to, and for carrying
the sugar away.
I have already explained that the rotating container is made to turn upon
the main spindle by a differential motion obtained by gearing alone, or by
gearing and pullies and bands combined. I prefer this last method, as it
affords great facility for varying the speed of the motion according to the
class of sugar to be treated. Suppose, for instance, that with the machine
revolving at, say, one thousand to twelve hundred revolutions per minute it is
desired to allow the sugar to remain in the machine under treatment for ten
minutes, it is only necessary for the man in charge to put the band upon the
proper size speed pullies (or if coned drums be used to the proper position

page_text: on the drums). In order that the rotating container shall complete its half
revolution upon the main spindle in ten minutes, he will of course also adjust
the supplies of matter and liquor. If one minute only is to be allowed for
the treatment of the sugar, the attendant will put the. band on to the
pullies provided for this speed, and increase the supply of matter and liquor
accordingly.
All my machines may be arranged so as to admit of their suspension to
prevent the vibrations consequent upon the high velocities at which they are
driven being communicated to the buildings in which they are placed, and so
render a solid foundation unnecessary, or they may be arranged for fixing on
a solid foundation. They may also be driven from top or bottom end by any
convenient means.
The outer fixed casings of my machines may be furnished with a chamber
for steam or hot water to keep the machine warm, in order to render the
molasses and liquor more liquid when such is desired.
The valves or slides to which I have referred as used by me to command
the apertures in the rotating container may be connected together when they
are all required to act together as in the machines which discharge the whole
of the sugar at one time from the rotating container. And in the containers
with compartments as for the machine last described the valves commanding
each compartment, when there are more valves than one, may be connected
together so as to act together. In the various forms of rotating container
to which I have referred that with square or oblong exit apertures may be
preferred, as they can be made of less aggregate area than the other apertures,
and thus the total centrifugal force of the sugar upon them is less than it
would be upon the greater area.
I have already stated that the valves or slides may be arranged so that the
centrifugal force will tend to shut them; the reverse action if preferred may be
adopted, and they may be opened instead of being closed by the centrifugal
force.
The matter which is supplied to my machines will be similar to that treated
in machines now used, and the liquors or liquids used for washing the crystals
may be also the same.
In supplying the matter to my machines, when the containers are more than
a certain depth, I allow the matter to flow into an inner distributing coned
casing at the upper and smaller end of the cone; this coned casing is divided
into compartments internally by plates radiating towards the centre; these
plates are inclined at the top, in the sense in which the machine revolves to
facilitate the entry of the matter, which will find its way down towards the

page_text: large end of the cone, but I provide apertures in the distributing coned casing
at different heights, and as the compartments referred to lead to these
apertures it follows that the matter in its passage down the compartments
will be thrown by the centrifugal force out of the apertures, and thus be dis-
tributed over the surface of the rotating container.
In machine B the distributing coned casing when used will be placed within
the rotating chamber, and will discharge the matter distributed into the
chamber. I prefer to make the apertures and compartments in the distributing
coned casing on each side of the centre to correspond, so as to preserve the
balance of the rotating parts of the machine.
Large hard lumps of raw sugar should not be allowed to enter the machines,
as it is of importance that the size of the openings in the rotating containers
be kept as small as is consistent with the free exit of the sugar.
Crushing
rollers may be used, if necessary, to break the lumps before the matter passes
into the machines.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, I will proceed more fully to
described the manner of performing the same.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Sheets Nos. 1 and 2, illustrate that form of my Invention above referred to
under class B, combination No. 3.
In Sheet No. 1, Figure 1 represents an external elevation of the machine;
Figure 2, a plan of the same; Figure 3, a sectional elevation, taken through
line Z, Z; Figure 4, a plan in section, taken through line Y, Y; Figure 5, a
section at line y, y, seen in Figure 3; Figure 6, a section at line z, z, seen in
Figure 3; Figures 7, 8, and 9 are sections at lines r', ', r, a, and x, x,
seen in Figures 2 and 4.
In Sheet No. 2, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 represent parts of the
a smaller scale,
machine in detail; and Figure 8 shews the machine on
suspended from a girder.
I shall use the same indicating letters and figures to denote different views
of the same parts in both the Sheets Nos. 1 and 2.
A is the outer fixed casing, suspended by bars B, B; C is a three-armed
support, bolted to feet provided on casing A; D is a cover fitted to the top of
casing A. Spindle E is supported in bearings at the bottom or pivot end in
the support C, and at the upper end in the cover D. E' is a prolongation of
spindle E, to which it is coupled; it is provided with a driving pulley a, and
has a bearing at the top end in the cross-head F. The bars B, B, are fixed
to the ends of the cross-head F, and bear the weight of the machine. G is

page_text: the supply pipe, by which the matter is conducted into the machine; the
middle part of this supply pipe should be made of flexible material, to admit
of the vibrations of the machine when at work. The lower metal end is fixed
by a flange to the cover D, and a slide valve w is fitted to it, which can be
opened and closed at pleasure by turning the screw attached. In Sheet No. 2,
Figure 1, the supply pipe G is seen in section projecting through the cover D
and entering the rotating chamber H, into which the matter flows, falling
upon the ring plate b. The form of the rotating chamber H will be clearly
understood by reference also to Figures 6 and 7, and in Sheet No. 1 to
Figures 3 and 4. The rotating chamber H is fixed to the spindle E, and
rotates with it, so that the matter on entering is, by virtue of the centrifugal
force, thrown against the curved sides of the rotating chamber H and rushes
out of the apertures at x, x. r and s are two supply pipes for the liquors or
washing liquids; they are attached to cover D, and deliver the liquors into
the annular spaces r¹ and s¹ which are formed upon the covering plate of the
rotating chamber H, from whence the liquors pass through holes 12, 13, 53, s2,
pierced in the plate into the compartments 3, 73, and s³, 83, of the liquor
cylinder H', and escape from the series of small holes r', r, and st, st. The
liquor cylinder H₁ surrounds the rotating chamber H, except at the apertures
x, x, and the same bottom and top plates serve for both, so that they are fixed
together and rely upon the same centre fixing to the spindle E. The top
plate is extended beyond the diameter of the liquor cylinder, in order to carry
the upper tappets q, and to give rigidity its outer edge is made to fit into the
ring plate at the top of the casing J. For the same object the long centre
boss, forming part of the bottom plate which carries rotating chamber H and
liquor cylinder H¹, and by which they are fixed to the spindle E, fits freely on
the centre boss of the bottom plate of the rotating container I. The last
mentioned boss is made long to give stability to the rotating container 1, as it
is not fixed to the spindle E like the rotating chamber H, the liquor
cylinder H', and the rotating casing J, but is free to turn upon it.
The rotating container I is shewn in section in Sheet No. 1, Figures 3
and 4. In Sheet No. 2, Figures 3 and 5 shew broken sections of the
rotating container I, to a larger scale, while Figure 4 represents an external
view of a portion with the valves v, removed. The rotating casing J is seen
in Sheet No. 1, Figures 3, 4, and 5, and is shewn separate from the other
parts of the machine in Sheet No 2, Figure 2. It is provided with two
holes at the bottom part near the centre, into which are fitted the spindles
c, c. On the upper ends of these spindles are toothed pinions, which gear
into an internal toothed ring, fast on the bottom of the rotating container

page_text: I, (see Figure 6, Sheet Ne 1). The lower ends of spindles c, c. are furnished
with worm toothed wheels, into which the screws on the ends of the spindles
c', c', gear (see Figure 5. Sheet No. 1); these spindles are supported in
bearings d, d. which are fastened to the bottom of the rotating casing J. On
the other ends of the spindles c¹, c', worm toothed wheels are fixed; these
gear into the hollow screw e, which is fitted to turn freely upon the spindle
E. The pulley is fast upon the hollow screw e, and is connected with
pulley f', on spindle g, by a cord or band, and thus through spindle g and the
speed pulley, by band to pulley f³, which is made fast to spindle E, and is
therefore the driving pulley. It will be clear that if the pullies and f',
were of equal diameters, and also pullies f and f', the hollow screw e would,
through its connection with the pulley f³, be driven at the same speed as the
spindle E, and the rotating container I in such case not being influenced by
any differential motion would revolve as if fixed to the spindle E, being
carried round by the pinions fixed on the upper ends of the spindles c in their
revolutions round the centre of motion, but the diameters of one or more of
the pullies f, f, f, f, may be changed so as to give to the hollow screw e
a greater or lesser number of revolutions in a given time than the spindle E,
and thus through spindles c¹ and c, and their screws, worm wheels and pinions,
impart to the rotating container I a separate motion upon the spindle E. I
have shewn the speed pulley of larger diameter than pulley f', pullies f
and being equal, thus as f is the driving pulley, the speed of the spindle
will be less than the speed of the spindle E. this difference of speed will
cause the hollow screw e to turn upon the spindle E, and to act upon the
worm wheels on the ends of the spindles c¹, c¹, and so transmit a differential
motion to the rotating container 1. Let us suppose that the power applied
to work the machine (whether steam, horse, manual, or other power,) drives
the spindle E at the rate of 1200 revolutions per minute, and that it is desired
to impart to the rotating container 1, a differential speed of one revolution
every two minutes, or (which is the same thing) that while the spindle E and
the parts fixed to it make 2400 revolutions it is desired that the rotating
container makes 2399 revolutions. In such case, as also when other differen-
tial speeds are required, the pullies and should bear to each other a
suitable proportion having regard to the proportions of the screw and toothed
gearing connecting pulley with the rotating container I: speed pulley is
furnished with grooves of several diameters by the use of which the difference
in speed between the spindle E. and the rotating container I may be increased
or diminished, the band or cord being placed in that groove of pulley which
is nearest to the diameter of the pulley f', when the least differential speed

page_text: is required and "vice versa"; f is a pulley for tightening the band which
connects pullies and f.
The internal circumference of the rotating container is divided into
compartments running from bottom to top by the plates u. Each compart-
ment comprises three pockets h, which have their inclined sides converging
to the openings h'; these openings are commanded by valves attached to
the bars v', at each end of which is a lever these levers work upon pins ",
fixed in the upper and lower rings of the rotating container I, and are arranged
so that the valves may be closed by the centrifugal force; they are opened by
tappets or cams q, q, one of which is fastened to the covering plate of the
rotating chamber H; this acts upon the upper lever while the other is fixed
to the bottom plate of the rotating casing J, and acts upon the lower lever.
Let it be supposed that the spindle E and all that is fixed to it rotate in the
direction indicated by the arrow, Sheet No. 1, Figure 4, at the rate of 1,200
revolutions per minute, and that the rotating container I rotates in the same
direction, at the same speed, minus one half a revolution per minute, the dif-
ferential motion which I have explained being supposed to turn the rotating
container I on the spindle E one half a revolution during the minute in the
opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow, the consequences would be
that the compartments in the rotating container I will pass in succession before
the apertures x, x, in the rotating chamber H at the rate of half a revolution
of the rotating container I per minute, and so they will be filled in turn with
the matter which escapes from the rotating chamber H through the apertures
X, X. One half a revolution only is necessary to fill the whole of the compart-
ments, as the matter which flows from one of the apertures x fills one half of
the whole number of compartments, while the matter which flows from the
other and opposite aperture x fills the other compartments.
In Sheet No. 1, Figure 4, all the compartments except four are tinted to
represent that they are full, and are shaded so as to indicate the order in which
they have been filled, those which are darkest being the last filled, or in the order
indicated by the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and
16. Nos. 17 are about to be filled, and their openings h¹ are therefore closed
by their valves v, as is the case with all the compartments which are filled,
each of which must have their valves and levers in the same position as the
valves and levers of compartments Nos. 17, although I have not thought it
necessary for explanation to repeat them all round in the Drawing; but the
compartments Nos. 18 have their valves open as the sugar is allowed to escape
from the compartments when they attain to the positions which the Nos. 18
occupy with regard to the rotating casing J, for it will be observed that the

page_text: compartments Nos. 18 are opposite to openings in the rotating casing J,
through which the finished sugar can pass into the chamber A¹ of the outer
fixed casing A. Compartments Nos. 1 will next come opposite the openings t.
when their valves will be withdrawn by the tappets or cams g. to allow of the
discharge of the sugar they contain. As soon as the matter enters the com-
partments the liquid portion begins to find its way by the centrifugal force
through the meshes of the wire gauze which covers the sides of the pockets h,
and along the corrugations upon which the wire gauze rests, and so out of the
openings formed by the corrugations round the valves v, which are closed upon
the apertures h¹ to retain the crystals or sugar. By the time that the compart-
ments Nos. 16 just filled with matter have travelled round to the positions of
compartments Nos. 11, we will suppose the crystals to be comparatively dry,
the liquid or molasses having passed into the compartments p, p, of the rotating
casing J, up the coned sides of the casing J, and out of the apertures p¹, p¹,
into the fixed ring-receiving chamber A at these points, viz., those occupied by
compartments Nos. 11; the crystals meet with the first washing liquid which
issues from the two series of small holes r, r, in the liquor cylinder H¹, passes
through the sugar, and flies into the compartments o, o, of the rotating casing
J, up the coned sides of the casing J, and out of the apertures o¹, o¹, into the
receiving chamber A". When the positions occupied by compartments Nos. 5
are attained, and the sugar is again comparatively dry, it meets with the second
or final washing liquid issuing from the two series of small holes s4, s. in the
liquor cylinder H'; this liquor also passes through the sugar and flies into the
compartments n, n, of the rotating casing J, up the sides of the casing J, and
out of the apertures n', n', into the receiving chamber A. As the sugar still
passes on to the positions of compartments Nos. 1, it will become dry and
ready to be discharged through the openings t in the rotating casing into the
receiving chamber A'. Thus, while the machine is in motion the matter flows
constantly through its supply pipe G into the rotating chamber H, from which
it rushes out of apertures x, x, into opposite compartments of the rotating con-
tainer I, filling them in pairs successively as the rotating container turns on
the spindle E; the liquid or molasses which was combined with the crystals
escapes through the wire gauze into its compartments p, p, in the rotating
casing J and into the receiving chamber A¹. The washing liquids admitted
continuously by the pipes r and s into the annular spaces r¹ and s¹. pass into
their several compartments and s in the liquor cylinder, and rushing out of
the series of small holes r, r', and s', s, wash the passing crystals and escape
to their respective receiving chambers A³, A*; the compartments with the
washed and dried crystals as they arrive opposite to the openings t. t, in the

page_text: rotating casing are discharged of their contents, the crystals flying out by their
centrifugal force upon the valves being withdrawn by the levers coming
into contact with the tappets or cams q. As the emptied compartments pass on,
the levers get clear of the tappets q, and being so arranged and balanced the
valves close by the centrifugal force, the compartments are again filled with
matter upon passing the apertures x, x, in the rotating chamber, and so the
operations are repeated, and the machine works on continuously.
K, K, K, are three conducting pipes for leading away the different liquids
from the receiving chambers A2, A3. A. When the finished sugar is discharged
into the receiving chamber A¹ it falls on to the revolving plate L, which runs
on three friction rollers at the part marked ; two of these rollers i, i, are seen
in Figures 1 and 2, and in Figure 3 they are all seen in dotted lines; three
rollers (of which one is seen in Figure 3, and all are shewn in dotted
lines in Figure 2) act upon the part of the plate L, marked k³, and serve
to keep it central. Both the rollers i and are mounted on brackets, which
are fixed to the arms of the support C. M is a circular toothed rack fixed to
the bottom of the plate L; 1 is a pinion which gears into the rack M. The
spindle upon which pinion is fixed turns in a bearing which is fixed to the
support C; the worm wheel is fixed to the other end of the
worm on the lower end of the spindle m gears into it.
spindle m is a speed pulley m¹, which is connected by a band
diameter groove of pulley f, which is fixed to the spindle E.
tightening the band which connects pullies f and m¹.
spindle, and the
At the top of
with the small
Pulley m² is for
By the connections just explained the plate L is made to revolve at a
convenient rate, and so carry the sugar round to the opening N in the casing
A and against the inclined scraper O, which directs it out of the opening N.
Sheet No. 3 will enable me to describe those forms of my Invention to
which I have referred under combinations Nos. 1 and 2, and class A of com-
bination No. 3. As these three machines are very similar to one another in
their principal working parts, but differ in the completeness of their mechanical
arrangements, No. 2 combination requiring less attention and manual assist-
ance than No. 1, and class A of combination No. 3 being entirely self-acting,
I shall first explain the last mentioned and most complete machine of the
three, and then point out what parts of the self-acting mechanism will be
dispensed with in the combinations Nos. 1 and 2.
Figure 1 is an elevation of the machine partly in section; Figure 2, a plan;
Figure 5 is a view of the self-acting apparatus, which is also seen in Figures 1
and 2; Figures 6, 7, and 8 are cams connected with the self-acting motions;
Figure 9 is an external view to a larger scale of a portion of the rotating

page_text: container I, showing the valve cylinder q' which surrounds it; Figure 10 is a
plan of a part of the valve cylinder q¹ in section.
The casing A, the cover D, the three-armed support C, the revolving plate L,
with the friction rollers and some other parts of the machine are similar to those
shown in Sheets Nos. 1 and 2. I have therefore denoted them by the same
indicating letters, and as their use is the same in this machine as in the com-
bination already described it will be unnecessary again to refer to them parti-
cularly. G is a vessel formed to contain a sufficient quantity of matter to
charge the rotating container once. The contents of the vessel G¹ are allowed
to pass into the rotating container I by the opening of the valve n³, the valve n
shutting in advance to prevent the matter rushing from the main reservoir
direct into the rotating container I.
The rotating container I is fixed firmly to the spindle E by its bottom plate
and boss I, and is formed in its interior diameter into pockets, such as I have
already described; but there are no plates as are required in the machine,
class B, combination No. 3, to divide the rotating container into compartments.
The matter therefore fills all the pockets at the same time, and further fills up
the rotating container to a convenient depth all round, the quantity being
regulated by the size of the vessel G¹. The position of the parts of the machine
represented in Figure 1 is such as they would occupy if the matter had just
been admitted into the rotating container I. The valve n is shut, and valve n' is
open that the vessel G¹ may again be filled. The liquid or molasses on leaving
the rotating container I passes into the rotating casing J above the directing
plate a into the receptacle A2. After the proper time has been allowed to get
rid of the molasses, the rotating container I descends by the action of the lever p¹
until the ring aperture z of the rotating casing J comes opposite to the passage
between the directing plates a and a¹; at this time the valve o is opened, the
valve of being shut in advance to prevent the liquor or washing liquid rushing
from the main reservoir directly into the machine. When the valve o is
opened the liquor contained in the vessel r passes through the perforations in
the pipe and against the perforated liquor cylinder H, and so is distributed
upon the sugar, through which it passes, and is expelled from the rotating
container I into the rotating casing J, and out of the ring aperture z, and
between the directing plates a and a¹ into the receptacle A. The valve o
now closes and valve o' opens, and the vessel r2 is again filled. (The vessel 72
is made telescopic, so that its capacity may be increased or diminished when
desired; and to facilitate the flow of the matter and liquid from the vessels G¹
and 2, I have provided air valves x, which open inwards, and have floats, by
When the sugar has
which they are closed when the vessels become full).

page_text: had time to get rid of the liquor or washing liquid, the rotating container
descends still lower until the ring aperture z of the rotating casing J comes
below the directing plate a', and the pivot end of the spindle E rests upon the
step pieces; the lever p', however, does not stop when it has brought spindle E
to rest, but still descends, and as the slide piece p² is attached by the rod p³ to
the cross-piece p' to the centre boss of the plate q, which carries the valve
cylinder q' (see also on a large scale Sheet No. 4, Figure 4.) the lever p¹
draws the valve cylinder down with it, and thus uncovers all the openings h' in
the rotating container I; and as the lower half of the rotating casing J is
fixed to the valve cylinder q' while the upper half is fixed to the rotating
container I, the ring aperture z becomes wider. (This position is indicated in
Figure 3.) The sugar now rushes out of the rotating container I into the
rotating casing J, and is discharged against the directing plate a' into the
receptacle A¹. After sufficient time has been allowed for the discharge of the
sugar, the lever p' rises, and in so doing first shuts the openings in the
rotating container by raising the valve cylinder q'. so bringing the valves v
over them, and then raises the spindle E and all the parts which rotate with
it until they again assume the position shown in Figure 1. The movements
for working the valves n', n³, and o, 05, and for actuating the lever p' in their
proper times are obtained by pulley 3, which is fast on spindle E; it drives
pulley, which is fixed to spindle g; the worm at the bottom of spindle g
gears into the worm wheel w fixed to spindle c; the worm on spindle c gears
into the worm wheel w¹ fixed to spindle c', and thus spindle c¹ is made
to revolve slowly while spindle E revolves at a high velocity. On spindle c
three cams n, 0, p. are mounted, and fixed in the relative positions shewn in
Figures 6, 7, and 8. Cam n works the valves n' and n through the lever n',
the connecting rod n³, and the lever n³. Cam o works the valves o' and o
through the lever o', the connecting rod o2, and the lever o. Cam p actuates
the lever pl. It will be understood that the spindle c' and the cams n, o, p,
make one revolution only for each charge of matter. The form of each cam
should be carefully proportioned, so as to regulate advantageously the times of
rest and motion. The speed of the spindle c¹ may be varied according to the
class of sugar to be treated by using grooves of differing diameters on the
speed pulley ; and, if considered desirable, separate sets of cams suited more
perfectly to the different speeds of spindle c' may be provided, in order to
maintain nearly fixed times for the performance of those operations which in
their speed or duration are not necessarily regulated according to the quality
of the sugar. In Figure 1 cam n has just shut the valve n5 and opened the
valve n and the rotating container I may therefore be supposed to be
.

page_text: charged with matter. The concentric part 4 of the cam n retains the valves n¹
and n in their present position. The concentric part 4 of cam o performs the
like office with respect to valves o* and o5, and the concentric part 1 of cam p
keeps the rotating container in its raised position. After a certain time has
been allowed for the molasses to escape from the rotating container I, and the
crystals have become comparatively dry, the inclined part 2 of cam p lowers
the rotating container I until the ring aperture z comes opposite the passage
between the directing plates a and a¹; the concentric part 3 retains it in this
position. The inclined part 1 of cam o then shuts valve o' and opens valve o³;
the concentric part 2 retains them in this position until it is reversed by the
inclined part 3. The inclined part 4 of cam p now brings the rotating
container down to its lowest position, and withdraws the valves for the
discharge of the sugar. The concentric part 5 gives time for the discharge of
the sugar, and then the inclined part 6 raises the valve cylinder and the
rotating container and the rotating casing to the first position shown in
Figure 1. The inclined part 1 of cam now shuts the valve n and opens
valve, and the concentric part 2 gives time for the matter to flow into the
rotating container I. The inclined part 3 reverses the valves, placing them
again in the position shown in Figure 1, spindle c and cams n, o. p. having
made one complete revolution.
In combination No. 2, cam n is dispensed with, and for actuating the
valves n', n, a lever arranged with handle to be worked by an attendant
should be substituted instead of the lever n'. Also the worm wheel w (see
Figure 4) is free to turn on the spindle c, and a sliding clutch is fitted to
spindle c, and is prevented from turning on the spindle by a groove and
feather. Lever commands the clutch u³, which gears with a corresponding
clutch on the boss of the worm wheel w. When those clutches are in contact,
as is the case in Figure 4, the revolutions of the worm wheel w will be
transmitted to the spindle c, and when they are out of gear the worm wheel w
will still turn on account of its connection with the pulley f, but the spindle c
and consequently the cam spindle c', will come to rest. The worm wheel w¹
is provided with a plain rim at the side of its circumference, in which is a
notch or break. The lower arm of the lever rests against this rim, and so
keeps the clutches in contact until the notch y comes round, when the end of
the lever falls into the notch by the action of the weight upon the horizontal
arm; this action draws the cam 2, which is attached to the vertical arm of
the lever out of gear and stops the self-acting parts of the machine. The
lever may be attached to a bell, which will advertise the attendant that the
machine has completed its work and requires re-charging; this he will do by

page_text: working the valves n', n; he will then put the clutch into gear by the
lever 1, and should hold it in gear for a few moments until the notchy has
passed on and the plain rim on the worm wheel we supports the lever I and
retains the clutch 3 in gear. In this combination the cams o and p should
be modified on account of the suppression of cam n.
In combination No. 1. I dispense with all the cams n, o, p, and the apparatus
for actuating them, and substitute hand levers for working the valves n', n³,
and o, o, and a hand wheel and screw, as seen in Figure 3, for working
the lever p², the attendant will therefore perform by these means the operations
which in class A, combination No. 3, are performed by the cams n, o, p.
In Sheet No. 4, Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate that form of rotating con-
tainer to which I have referred, and which is divided in its depth into rings
arranged to discharge the crystals from apertures or spaces between the rings;
this form of rotating container is applicable to the combinations just de-
scribed, viz., No. 1, No. 2, and class A, No. 3, and illustrated in Sheet No. 3.
Figure 1 is a complete section of the outer casing A, and the rotating casing J,
and a partial section of the rotating container; Figure 2 is a plan in section
through the line Q, Q. The ring 12 is attached to the plate q, and so also
is the lower half of the rotating casing J; I¹ is the bottom of the rotating
container, which is fixed to the spindle E by boss I. The bars are fixed
to the bottom of the rotating container I and also to the top plate or ring 16,
which they support; they also support the ring 15 and the upper half. of the
rotating casing J, which is fixed to it. Figure 1 shows the rings 12, 13, 1',
and I, closed together, leaving room, however, for the liquid to pass out of
the rotating container through the openings formed by the corrugations
against which the wire gauze is placed; e are slotted links fastened to rings I
and I, and attached by their slotted ends to rings 13, I', by pins; e¹, e¹, are
links of the same description, which attach the rings 13 and I together.
These attachments by means of the slots admit of the separation of the rings
I, I, I, I, for the discharge of the crystals. See position shewn in Figure 3.
The bars not only act as supports of the top plate I and its ring 15, but
they serve to guide the rings when they are drawn apart to allow of the
discharge of the sugar, and to steady them during the working of the machine;
d is a circular pan for catching the surplus oil, which may proceed from the
bearing above it. Figures 7, 8, and 9 illustrate that other form of rotating con-
tainer to which also I have already referred, and which has narrow openings
running from bottom to top placed at intervals or certain distances from each
other round the circumference of the rotating container. Figure 7 is a vertical
section of a portion of the rotating container. Figure 8, a plan in section, and

page_text: Figure 9, an external view with the valves removed. In order to strengthen
the rotating container I have projected the compartment plates externally,
and passed the strong wire rings u² round them; the plates u are also supported
by the top and bottom rings of the rotating container to which they must be
firmly attached.
I have referred above to a distributing coned casing, which may be used
to equalize the matter over the surface of the rotating containers when they
are of a certain depth, if only of the ordinary depth, or, say, not exceeding
16 inches, the distributing plate b will serve the purpose sufficiently well, but
for greater depths of rotating containers I prefer to use the distributing casing.
Although I have in the Drawings shewn my machines suspended, it will
readily be understood that the casing A may be formed to suit for fixing to a
stone or other foundation, in which case, the supply pipe G and the liquor
pipes rand s, may be rigid instead of jointed, or of flexible material, as is
necessary when the machines are suspended. In Sheet No. 3 1. have brought
the vessels G¹, 2, low down upon the cover D in order that they may be seen
in connection with the machine, and to enable me to show the connections to
valves n, n, and o, o, complete; but in practice when the machine is
suspended these vessels should not be fixed directly on the cover D, nor should
their weight rest upon it, but a piece of flexible tube should be used to con-
nect each to the cover D, and they should be suspended from above.
Figure 5 represents a strainer V fitted to the vessel from which the machine
may be supplied with matter; it is intended to prevent large foreign substances
and lumps of combined crystals passing down pipe G into the rotating container;
valve is provided with a screw and hand wheel by which it may be opened
and closed at pleasure; Figure 6 is a plan of the strainer. Other forms of
strainers may be used, if preferred, and I would remark that the strainer shown
forms no part of my Invention.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I make no claim to any
of the mechanical parts separately, but I claim the combinations herein-
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Murdoch Napier, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Eleventh day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
JAMES M. NAPIER. (L.S.)