IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GENERATING GAS FROM COAL
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Edward Noone, of No. 28, Hodson St.,
Frances St., Newington Butts, in the County of Surry, Engineer,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GENERATING GAS
FROM COAL."
Sealed the 14th May 1859, and dated the 3rd December 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Edward Noone
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 3rd December 1858.
I, GEORGE EDWARD NOONE, of No. 28, Hodson St., Frances St., Newing-
ton Butts, in the County of Surry, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GENERAT
ING GAS FROM COAL," to be as follows:-
::
This engine is made to attach to ordinary kitchen ranges, household
stoves, and grates, it forming a gas-making machine and cooking appa-
ratus at the same time and with the same fuel. This engine is applicable
for shipping purposes, furnaces for steam boilers, or other mechanical
purposes, hot air and all other stoves, and consists of two or more
cylinders perpendicularly screwed to a plate and rim fastened to the top
of the range and forming a hot plate; the cylinders are of a conical form,
and takes up part of the space usually allowed for the fire, the front of
the rim being moveable for the convenience of supplying the fire with
coal or coke. The covers of the cylinders having an opening in the
centre and forming part of the hot plate when in their place, an upright
standard is fixed at each end of the plate, to which is screwed a parallel
iron pipe crossing the hot plate, and having connexions for other pipes

page_text: directly over the openings in covers; these pipes have long screws at
one end, small levers in the centre to work the screws in their connecting
pieces, and a flange at the end communicating with the opening in the
cover. The fire being made as in ordinary cases for cooking, a sheet
iron blower is hooked on to the front of the range or stove, creates the
draft, thus rendering in a short time the fire sufficiently powerful to make
the cylinders red hot, and the plate ready for cooking purposes; the
blower is then removed and other cylinders, the same shape as those
spoken of and fitting in the first mentioned, is filled with coal and called
feeders; they have moveable bottoms and handles, with large rings the
full height of the cylinder; these are placed inside the first named. The
covers put on the pipe with the flange is screwed down on the opening,
rendering all parts gas-tight except through the last-named pipe, and
from thence to the parallel pipe, when gas making immediately com-
mences. When these feeders require a fresh supply of fuel, the cover is
removed by raising the lever screw, the feeder is drawn out by a hook
taking the ring of the handle, and is replenished by another. The cover
and screw pipe is then replaced, thus a continual supply of gas is
generated, the hot feeder is left to cool, and when cold the bottom is
drawn out by the handle, and with it the coke made, which is used to heat
the primary cylinder, and the bottom being replaced in the feeder is
ready for the next charge.
I now come to speak of the second part of my Invention; the parallel
pipe is continued to the air and water purifier, consisting of six syphons
connected and fitted on a water tank or reservoir divided into twelve
chambers; the long end of each syphon is in the water, while the short
end is above the surface; thus the short end of the syphon fixed in the
first chamber receives the gas from the parallel pipe, proceeds to the
long end under water, the gas rises through the water, and reaches the
short end of the second syphon in the second chamber, and so continues
to proceed in like manner though water until the gas arrives at the long
end of the sixth syphon into the twelfth chamber of the reservoir, and
from thence to the dry purifier, consisting of five chambers, the lowest
where the gas first enters being filled with brush wood or charcoal. The
four other chambers having moveable perforated bottoms are charged
with lime through which the gas passes, and arriving at the fifth and
top chamber is conducted to the supply pipe purified ready for consump-
tion.
I have next to explain the third and last part of my Invention, consist-
ing of a round chamber rising in a conical form, with a door at the
bottom to receive the supply of coal; at the top is a hollow shaft returning
with a bend, is connected by union joints to the inlett of a second

page_text: chamber of a circular form, and contains a fan or wheel divided into
sections, the shaft of which comes through the stuffing box in the centre
of the front of the chamber to connect with the gearing of any motive
power that may be applied to work the same; the coal being fired the
whole of the smoke with its gasious qualities is drawn by the fan into
the circular chamber, and thence propelled through the outlett to the
various purifiers; when deprived of impurity it becomes an illuminative
body, and ascends to the holder for consumption. I would here state
that this propelling draft may be obtained by the reciprocal motion of two
gas holders, and that the several purifiers are provided with vessels to
receive the deposits which are connected to pipes with stop-cocks, and
when full are removed without any offensive smell.
And, lastly, the third part of my Invention is more particularly in-
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Edward Noone in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 3rd June 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
EDWARD NOONE, of No. 28, Hodson Street, Frances Street, Newington
Butts, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Third day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said George Edward Noone, Her special licence that I,
the said George Edward Noone, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said George Edward Noone, my execu-
tors, 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 GENERATING GAS FROM COAL," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said George Edward Noone, my executors or administrators,
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

page_text: calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Edward Noone, do hereby
.declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, that is to say-
My Invention of certain improvements in machinery for generating gas
from coal consists, in the first place, in the application of a cylindrical
back to kitchen ranges and other stoves used for cooking or heating
purposes.
Secondly, a kind of semicircular cylinder called a "feeder," with per-
forated moveable front to be charged with coal for gas making:
Thirdly, a description of apparatus for placing the feeders in position
in cylinder back when charged with coal, and for relieving the same from
coke, and also a kind of sheet iron shield to keep dust from the gearing.
Fourthly, a portable and novel construction of apparatus for purifying
gas, which by a peculiar application is rendered a wet and dry purifier,
combining also a mode of sealing to prevent explosion.
Fifthly, a mode of regulating the pressure for consumption of gas, and
for self-supplying the whole machine with water for cleansing and other
purposes, with the means of communicating motion to the call bell when
coal is required.
Sixthly, a peculiar construction of furnace to generate gas and steam
at the same time and with the same coal, which is applicable to all
descriptions of furnaces.
And, lastly, a kind of iron truck for withdrawing hot feeders from the
'furnace, and replacing others without smoke or inconvenience from heat
when of a size difficult to move by hand.
These improvements will be readily seen on reference to the accom-
panying Drawings, in which Fig. 1 represents the complete apparatus in
working order, as used when in connection with an ordinary kitchen
range. Fig. 2 shows the range in vertical section, exhibiting also my
cylindrical back, a plan of the same being shewn at Fig. 3. A is the
cylindrical back, taking up part of the space usually allowed for the fire,
and is made in two parts projecting beyond the back of the range; the
part B is screwed by the screws C, C, and for convenience is made to
take out by disconnecting the pipe D, without interfering with the
setting of the range or stove.
I come now to speak of the manner of supplying the cylindrical back
with coal for gas making. Fig. 4 is the semicircular feeder E, with
perforated and moveable front to discharge the coke when required.
Fig. 5 is a plan or horizontal view of the table F, on which the feeder E is

page_text: placed full of coal, and secured by the clip G, kept open to receive it
by its lower part pressing against the circle H, shown at Fig. 6; the table
F is moved by the screw I, which receives its motion from the gearing J;
the feeder E is thus carried to the moveable bottom K, and drawn on the
V joint shown at L, Fig. 7; the clip G is pressed open in the same
manner as at H, and relieves the feeder from the table; the screws M, M,
are set in motion by gearing at Fig. 8 by means of the endless screw N,
the feeder is thus raised in a rectilinear motion in the cylinder back,
and the bottom made to fit air-tight. To fully illustrate the manner the
gearing is set in motion, I must refer to Fig. 1; the endless screw N will
be perceived to communicate with the front of range at O, and in like
manner the table F is moved at P by the handle Q being applied, and
motion given therefrom to the said gearing; R is the door for admitting
the feeder charged with coal, and S for withdrawing the coke when
cooled, the smoke or vapour therefrom passing away through the flue T
into the chimney; U is the shield that protects the machinery under the
fire from dust; the gas when generated passes through the pipe D to the
purifier.
I have next to explain a mode of sealing to prevent explosion combined
in my portable and novel construction for purifying gas. Fig. 9 forms
the junction of pipe D, by dipping on the surface of the water V supplied
by the purifier at W, the gas is conducted through the dry chamber X
under water, and to be seen more readily in the horizontal plan of the
bottom at Fig. 10, discharges at Y, proceeds through the syphons
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, more distinctly shown in Fig. 1, of which Fig. 11 is an
horizontal plan showing the manner the pipes communicate with the
twelve chambers in the purifier; the six marked Z are the ends that dip
on the surface of the water, as is clearly illustrated by the same letters
in the vertical section, Fig. 9. The short ends marked a show above the
water to receive the supply more readily; the water line is kept correct
by the supply from pipe b, the surplus being discharged at the sealed
line c through the waste pipe d; the gas arriving at the charcoal cham-
ber e ascends through the line trays 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, to the governor, the
trays can be removed by the handles marked f; when the top at g is
unscrewed all deposits may be drawn off through the taps h, h, at con-
venience.
I have next to explain a peculiar method of regulating the pressure
and self-supplying the whole machine with water; i, Fig. 9, shows the
case fixed on the top of lime purifier with outlet ; the interior is com-
posed of a drum divided into four parts, and attached to a hollow front
open in the centre at ; the pipe m passing through the centre of case i,
is passed to the interior of hollow front n, allowing the drum and front
to revolve without friction; a straight pipe is soldered through the pipe m,

page_text: and forms a stuffing box at o, wherein it will be seen the shaft p
passes and is packed air-tight; the case i is charged with water by the
supply at q up to the discharge pipe 6, which seals the opening in the
hollow front; the gas having access to the interior of the drum at the
junction n, causes a rotary action, and the opening at r is passed under
water, and the gas therein contained is pressed through the opening s
connected with the outlet k, and thus to the holder; here I would also
refer to Fig. 12, wherein will be seen the position of the inlet, the dotted
lines representing the outlets on the reverse side; t is the water line; r,
the inlet; and s, the outlet, as is 2, 2, 3, 3, and 4, 4, in like position to
each other, causing the inlet of each chamber to be sealed by the water
line at the time the outlet is opened; on the shaft p is fixed a small
wheel u, seen at Fig. 1, to be worked by water on the overshot principle,
gaining a supply from the jet on pipe v, and is received by tank w, and
passed off at x to supply the water line of the holder. On gas making
being relinquished, the regulating drum stops, and the wheel u is at
rest; the water flows into the float chamber y, Fig. 9, giving a rectilinear
action to the float and rod z; of this part of my Invention I must again
refer to Fig. 1, wherein it will be seen that the rod z rises the lever a¹
and closes the valve for supply, which lever gives motion to the crank b¹
that sets the call bell ringing; by proceeding again to make gas, motion
is given to the regulating drum and thus to the overshot wheel, removing
the lever c¹ from the rest d', when the float and rod z drops and the
supply of water commences. I would here remark that the float in
rising has lifted the valve at e', Fig. 9, when the water escapes in that
chamber, leaving the float to rest in its present supposed position; this
valve is again closed by the falling of the float.
I come now to speak of a peculiar construction of furnace to generate
gas and steam at the same time and with the same coal. Drawing 2,
Fig. 13, is a front elevation, showing at f' the top where steam boilers,
stills, hot plates, or any other body requiring heat is fixed; the three g¹,
the furnace doors, the three h', the draft gratings fitted round the circular
bottoms; Fig. 14, an horizontal plan of bottom of furnace; the four ', the
furnace bars, the three j', the cast-iron perforated semicircles to receive
the feeders represented at ', ', Fig. 13. Fig. 15, a perforated iron plate
with handle in front for convenience of removing, more readily seen
at Fig. 16, that represents the front of feeder without the plate l' at m',
the handle of perforated plate is seen and the part n' is to be charged
with coal; the front plate l is screwed on with thumb screws that no
air can enter, the feeder is taken to the opening o', Fig. 13, and slides
in easy of adjustment; the coal becoming heated by the furnace, the gas
passes into the lower chamber through the taps p', p', to the moveable

page_text: screws q, q, q', that dip on the surface of the water of the hydraulic
main, that communicates and is on a parallel line with the water in
the purifier shown in Fig. 1.
I come now to describe the last feature of my improvements, viz., of
conveying the feeders by means of an iron truck, shown at Fig. 17, when
of a size not readily removed by hand; s' is a sheet iron body sufficiently
large to hold two feeders one above the other; the screw t¹ working the
lever communicates with the fulcrum v¹, works the guide in slot w',
giving a rectilinear motion to the body easy of adjustment; the interior
of the truck consists of two parallel frames, one fixed across the centre,
and the other in the bottom with friction roller on each side, as shown
in Fig. 18, the chain a being attached to the drum y'; the bottom
chamber of the truck is adjusted by the screw t' to suit the height of
furnace; the hook z¹ is connected to the handle of the feeder, and thus
withdrawn from the furnace and deposited in the bottom of the truck;
the upper chamber is lowered to suit convenience by the screw t¹, and
the replenished feeder takes the place in furnace of the one withdrawn.
Having thus described my Invention of certain improvements in
machinery for generating gas from coal, I would remark I do not intend
to confine myself to the precise form or arrangements shown, as the same
might be varied as to matters of detail with advantage to suit certain
circumstances without departing from the principles set out under seven
heads in the commencement of this my Specification, and for which I
desire protection under the above in part recited Letters Patent.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Edward Noone, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Third day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
GEORGE EDWARD NOONE. (L.S.)