IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING, SEPARATING, WASHING, AND DRYING GRAIN
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Young, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Millwright and Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING, SEPARATING, WASHING, AND
DRYING GRAIN."
Sealed the 25th September 1862, and dated the 31st March 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Young at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st
March 1862.
I, ROBERT YOUNG, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Millwright and Engineer. do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING. SEPARATING. WASHING, AND
DRYING GRAIN," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention aims at increased efficiency, with simplicity of construction,
and low cost in apparatus, to be used for the (dry) cleaning and separating of
grain in apparatus for washing grain, and drying it by centrifugal action, and
in apparatus for drying grain by the application of heat.
The cleaning apparatus, as made with the present improvements, resembles
apparatus for the same purpose described in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to the present applicant, and dated the 12th May 1860
(No. 1176), excepting that the top and sides of the screening cylinder are
enclosed in an outer case of a square or other convenient form, and this case

page_text: is made to communicate with the suction part of the far below, so that chaff,
dust, smut balls, and all foreign matters lighter than the good grain, instead
of being thrown out, as before, from the top and sides, are drawn into the
fan, and blown into a suitable receptacle. This arrangement also dispenses
with the directing of a part of the fan blast into the inner drum or cylinder,
as the suction causes a sufficient in-draught of air for the purpose through an
opening or openings provided therefor. The beaters on the drum are con-
tinued up above the drum top, but need not be screw-shaped, as in the former
arrangement. The wheat is conveyed by a suitable duct down upon a riddle
placed beneath the fan, ard directly across the opening, admitting air to the
under side of the fan. This riddle is slightly inclined, and has a longitudinal
reciprocating motion imparted to it. It is formed with a perforated bottom
inclined in the opposite direction, and the good wheat is delivered at the
lower end of the bottom. For the purpose of separating oats from the wheat
the riddle is peculiarly formed, having longitudinal corrugations which form.
shallow grooves, whilst the bottoms of these grooves are formed with oblong
holes disposed transversely for the passage through of the wheat. The oats
pass over these holes, and are discharged into a suitable duct at the end opposite
to the wheat, whilst small grain seeds or tailings pass through the bottom of
the riddle into a receptacle between the other two discharges. The wheat is
finally made to pass across the suction current, or a portion of it, to remove
any light impurities that may still remain.
The apparatus for washing and drying grain by centrifugal action is, by this
Invention, made in a combined form, the washer being placed above the dryer,
and in the same vertical line. The washer is a comparatively shallow cylin-
drical vessel mounted on pillars, and having within it a perforated false
bottom, and above that a shallow drum formed with a slightly coned disc. A
shaft fitted with screw or oblique vanes passes down the centre, and the drum
is mounted on a tubular shaft revolving in the opposite direction, and is fitted
with vanes projecting inwards between those on the central shaft. The vessel
is filled up to a suitable level with water, and the grain being introduced out-
side of the drum, is drawn up through it from below, being subjected to the
washing action of the vanes, and finally flowing over upon the conical disc.
This disc is perforated to allow the water to drain off, and by means of
stationary scoops the grain is made to pass off by the duct leading to the
dryer below. The fresh water entering the vessel is made to pass tl:rough
the grain just as the latter leaves it. Within the drying vessel there is a
drum or basket of perforated metal, and within it an inner drum fitted with
steel-edged scoops. The duct introduces the grain between the two drums,

page_text: which, rotating at a high velocity,throw off the moisture by centrifugal action
the inner drum does not, however, revolve quite as fast as the outer one, and
the consequent action of the scoops is to gradually carry down the grain in
such a way that it is delivered at the bottom in a dry or nearly dry state.
The apparatus for drying grain by means of heat, as constructed according
to the present Invention, comprises a series of stages or platforms placed one
above the other in a chamber. Each stage consists of a series of slats or
plates mounted so as to be capable of tilting like the slats of a venetian blind.
All the slats of a stage are connected, and provision is made for tilting them
so as to allow the grain lying on them to fall through upon the stage below.
In this way grain first put upon the top stage is at suitable intervals trans-**
ferred from stage to stage, being thoroughly disturbed and intermingled at
each stage until it is finally delivered in a dry state at the bottom. The
chamber may be heated in various ways, but the arrangements are, by pre-
ference, such as to cause a current of hot air to erter at the bottom, and to
traverse the several stages in succession in alternate directions, finally passing
off at the top, and carrying with it the vapour rising from the grain.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the letters Patent filed
by the said Robert Young in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
September 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
YOUNG, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Millwright
and Engineer, serd greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Robert Young, Her special licence that I, the said Robert 1 oung,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Robert Young, 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
APPARATUS FOR CLEANING. SEPARATING, WASHING, AND DRYING GRAIN," upon the
condition, amongst others, that, I, the said Robert Young, my executors or

page_text: 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
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said Robert Young, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention aims at increased efficiency with simplicity of construc-
tion and low cost in apparatus to be used for the (dry) cleaning and separating
of grain, in apparatus for washing grain and drying it by centrifugal action,
and in apparatus for drying grain by the application of heat.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the
same may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended three Sheets
of explanatory Drawings, to be herein-after referred to in particularly
describing my improvements.
The cleaning apparatus, as made with the present improvements, resembles
apparatus for the same purpose described in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to me, and dated the 12th May 1860 (No. 1176),
excepting in certain particulars herein-after pointed out.
,
The apparatus in its improved form is represented in vertical section in
Figure 1, Sheet 1, of the Drawings. It comprises a vertical rotating shaft A,
having fixed upon it a screening cylinder B, closed at the top, and formed
with longitudinal beater ribs C, and a casing of wire cloth inside the ribs.
The grain fed by the duct D upon the top of the screening cylinder B is
thrown therefrom and descends between the cylinder and a casing Eenclosing
it. Part of this casing is formed with an impermeable corrugated surface
but the other part consists of wire, cloth, or other permeable or perforated
material. Outside of this casing E there is an outer casing F, which may be
square or of other convenient form, and the space between the two casings
E, F, is made to communicate with the suction part of a fan G fast on the
shaft A below, so that dust, smut, or other foreign matters lighter than the
good grain instead of being thrown out as before from the top and sides are
drawn into the fan and blown into a suitable receptacle. This arrangement
also dispenses with the directing of a part of the fan blast into the inner
drum or cylinder B, as the suction causes a sufficient in-draught of air for the

page_text: purpose through an opening or openings provided therefor. Between the fan
case H and the cylinder and casings B, E, F, there is a cast-iron box I,
formed with a central cylinder J, projecting up a short distance inside the
cylinder B, and with three side passages K, communicating with the
cylinder J. The air enters by these side passages K, and the cylinder J, into
the interior of the cylinder B, and passes through the wire gauze of the
cylinder and up through the grain which is descending in the intermediate
space between the cylinder B and the casing E. The cast-iron top plate L,
a half-plan view of the under side of which is shown in Figure 4, is formed
with radiating passages b, which cross the top of the casing E, and the air
rising up the inside of the casing E, crosses the top of it by these passages L,
and returns down the outer case F, the wheat being prevented from passing
over with it by means of wire gauze. Some air also enters the outer case F,
through the lower permeable part of the casing E, and the various currents
combine to free the grain very completely from the lighter impurities. The
bottom of the case F' communicates by openings at the corners with the inter-
mediate box I, and the air is drawn thence into the central opening of the top
of the fan case H. The beaters C of the cylinder B are continued up a short
distance above the cylinder top, but need not be screw-shaped as in the former
arrangement. The wheat on reaching the bottom of the cylinder B passes
by a duct M, down upon a riddle N, P, placed beneath the fan G, and directly
across the openings admitting air to the under side of the fan. The top
surface N of this riddle is slightly inclined, and the riddle is mounted on
springs Q, and has a longitudinal reciprocating motion imparted to it by means
of a connecting rod R, jointeu upon an adjustable crank pin on the lower end
of a vertical spindle S, driven by means of a belt from the main shaft A, access
to the shaft A, being conveniently obtained for the belt by the air inlet K
The under side P of the riddle is of wire gauze or other perforated or
perineable material, and is curved in cross section and slightly inclined longi.
tudinally in a direction opposite to that of the top surface N, and the good
wheat is delivered at the lower end into a pocket or passage T. For the
purpose of separating oats from the wheat the top surface N of the riddle is
peculiarly formed, and a portion of it is represented in plan and in cross
section in Figures 2 and 3, as drawn full size. This improved riddling
surface is formed with longitudinal corrugations constituting a series of shallow
grooves, and the bottoms of these grooves are formed with oblong holes
disposed transversely for the passage through of the wheat. The oats pass
over these holes, and are discharged into a suitable pocket or duct U, at the
end opposite to the wheat duct T, whilst small grain, seeds, or tailings pass

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through the bottom P of the riddle into a receptacle V, between the other two
discharges. The pockets or receptacles U, V. are closed by loose doors to
prevent air from entering, whilst the collected matters gradually work their
way out by their own weight. The wheat is finally made to pass across the
suction current or a portion of it in the duct W, to remove any light
impurities, such as chaff, that may still remain. The directions of the several
in-daught air currents are indicated by arrows; these currents all terminate
or unite in the fan case H, and are discharged by the fan action through a
duct X in the side of the case into a receptacle or space where the light
impurities are collected, the heavier impurities falling into the receptacle V.
It will be observed that the air supplying the fan from the under side has to
cross through the riddle N, P, but the force of the current passing through
may be regulated with the greatest nicety by allowing more or less to pass
freely round either end or side of the riddle, where movable valves may be
introduced, or the same end may be obtained by admitting more or less air by a
separate opening above the riddle. The arrangement of the riddle may be
slightly modified, namely, by making the top surface M. and the bottom surface
P incline both in one direction but at more or less different angles; and in this
case the out pocket U will be placed ou the other side beyond the wheat
pocket T, and the top of the riddle will be extended a little beyond the
wheat pocket.
The position of the riddle may be adjusted with great nicety
by raising or lowering the supporting springs Q, so as to determine and
secure the best position by actual working.
The improved apparatus for washing grain and drying it by centrifugal
force is represented in vertical section in Figure 5, Sheet 2, of the Drawings.
An important feature of this part of the Invention is the making of the
apparatus in a combined form, the washer being placed over the dryer and in
the same vertical line. The combined apparatus is contained between and
supported by two or more standards or pillars A, which may extend from the
floor to the ceiling of the apartment. The washer comprises a comparatively
shallow vessel B,attached to the pillars A, and is partly cylindrical and partly
conical. There is within this vessel Ba perforated or permeable false bottom C
and above it a drum D, fitted with a slightly coned disc E.
A shaft F passes
down the centre within a tube G, bolted to the bottom of the vessel and rising
above the surface of the water so as to exclude water from the bearing at the
bottom; and there is fixed on this shaft Fa tubular piece f, descending over
the tube G, and having attached to it a number of inclined or oblique blades H.
The drum D is fitted with inclined or oblique blades I, inclined in opposite
directions to the shaft blades H, whilst the drum D is also made to rotate

page_text: in. the opposite direction to the shaft F, being suspended to a wheel J, the
boss of which is loose on the shaft F, the wheel J being itself supported by
means of a collar fixed on the upper part of its tubular boss, and resting in a
box Q, bolted to the transverse frame piece R. The central shaft F is driven by
means of a pulley K on its upper end, whilst the wheel J is driven by a pinion
on a parallel shaft at the side, driven by means of a pulley L. The vessel B
is filled up to a suitable level with water, and the grain being introduced into
it outside the drum D by a duct at the side, is drawn up through the drum by
the action of the oblique blades H, I, inside it, and flows over upon the
conical disc E, being prevented from being thrown too high by a disc S, placed
a little above the top of the drum D. The conical disc E is perforated or
made of wire gauze or other permeable material to allow the water to drain
off, and by means of stationary scoops M, the grain is made to pass into a
passage N, which may be conveniently formed in one of the pillars A, and
thence by a spout P into the drying apparatus below. The fresh water enters
the vessel B by a rose or jet near the scoops M, but not shown, so as to act
upon the grain just as it is leaving the vessel. The drying is effected in a vessel
or chamber T, of a circular or other convenient form, consisting of a frame-
work with sheet-iron sides and mounted on a cast-iron base, which last is
formed with a gutter U, from whence the water is drawn by a spout or tap
not shown. Within this drying vessel T there is a cylindrical drum or
basket V of perforated metal, and open at the top and bottom, and within the
basket an inner drum W (not perforated) which is closed at the top, and
which has fitted upon its sides two or more sets of scoops X, with inclined
steel edges bearing easily upon the sides of the perforated basket V. The
innermost drum W is fixed on a central shaft F coupled so as to form a
continuation of the central shaft F above, whilst the basket V is fixed on a
tubular shaft Y upon the shaft F, and is fitted with a pulley Z, by means of
which it is driven. The duct P delivers the grain upon the top of the
innermost drum W,offwhich it is thrown between the drum and the basket and
against the sides of the latter, through which last the moisture is driven by the
centrifugal action as is well understood. The speed of the innermost drum W
is regulated so as to be slightly less than that of the basket V, and the conse-
quent action of the scoops Xis to gradually carry down the grain in such a way
that it reaches the bottom in a dry or nearly dry state. There is fitted in the
bottom of the basket V a frame a, which is loose on the shaft F¹, and the
radial arms of this frame are formed with vanes b, projecting downwards,
which propel the grain to a delivery duct or opening c in the side of the cast-
ron sole or bottom d.

page_text: A modification of my improved apparatus for drying grain by means of heat
is represented on Sheet 3 of the accompanying Drawings, Figure 6 being a
side elevation with the portion to the right of the line 1, 2, in section, whilst
Figure 7 is a plan. The principle feature of the apparatus is a series of stages
or platformsA, placed one above another in a chamber, which in this example
is formed or enclosed by cast-iron plates B. Each stage consists of a series of
slats or plates a, mounted so as to be capable of tilting like the slats of
a venetian blind. For this purpose each plate or slat a, is formed with
spindles at its ends, which fit and work in journals formed for them in the
sides of the chamber. In the present example the plates B of the chamber
sides are formed with flanges by means of which they are bolted or rivetted
together, and the journals for the slat spindles are conveniently formed along
the horizontal joints of the wall plates B. The spindles at one end of the
slats a, are formed with cranks C. all of one row lying in one direction, and
those of the next row in the other direction alternately. The cranks C of
each row are all jointed upon a strap or rod D, by the movement of which the
whole of the slats are simultaneously tilted. Various contrivances may be
adopted for tilting the slats in regular order and at proper intervals, but a
simple and convenient arrangement is shown in the Drawings. Each rod or
strap D is formed with a bow or frame E at one end, and within the series of
bows E, of the several straps D there works an endless chain F, carried by
upper and lower pulleys G, H. This endless chain F is fitted with an inclined
piece I, situated towards the back-side of the chain, so as when rising on the
left-hand side of the pulleys G, H, to act on the outer part of any bow E, it
may be passing through, and thereby shift over the corresponding strap D,
towards the left hand. The piece I is represented as having just shifted over
the lowest strap D, thereby tilting the slats a, of the lowest stage A, which
would cause any grain thereon to fall through. The slats are about to be
immediately closed again by the descent on the right-hand side of the pulleys
of an inclined piece J, fixed towards the front of the chain F, and arranged to
act on the inner end of the bow E, and thereby shift back the strap D towards
the right hand. In explaining the action of the apparatus we may suppose
that there is a layer of grain on every stage A. The layer on the lowest stage
has been dropped through (upon the bottom of the chamber, or into an inclined
duct conveying it away) by the action just described. The continued motion
of the endless chain F, in the direction of the arrows will cause the opening
,piece I to act on each stage in succession upwards, whilst between each
opening action, a closing piece J will close the slats of the stage last opened,
the pieces J being suitably pitched or placed on the endless chain for that

page_text: purpose. Thus in succession each stage, from the lowest upwards, will be
emptied in readiness to receive the grain from the stage immediately above it,
and in this manner grain placed upon the topstage will gradually find its way
downwards from stage to stage, being thoroughly disturbed and intermingled
at each transfer until it is finally delivered in a dry state at the bottom.
When the opening piece I reaches the top pulley G, a pause in the action
takes place whilst it descends at the right-hand side of the pulleys, and each
stage is only opened and closed once during each revolution of the chain whilst
the time occupied in transferring the grain through all the stages, may be
modified by suitably regulating the speed of the chain. The cranks C, of the
slats a, are disposed in opposite directions at thedifferent stages, in order that
the slats may be tilted alternately in opposite directions, and therebyalternate
the slight lateral movement given to the grain and prevent its accumulating in
one direction. At the parts where the pieces I or J act on the strap bows E,
fixed supporting pieces are introduced across the inside of the endless chain,
these pieces which are shown in section in Figure 6,preventing the chain from
yielding inwards from the resistance of the straps D. The slats a are by
preferenceperforated as shown at a' in Figure 7,in orderthat air may permeate
up through the layers of grain. The main current of air however is made to
transverse horizontally between the stages and over each layer of grain
alternately in opposite directions. For this purpose a slat of each stage, and
alternatelyatopposite ends, is unconnected with the shifting bar D,and is used
as a valve, being set so far open as to allow the required current to pass. The
air which is heated in any convenient way, is by preference made to pass
through the apparatus by the suckingaction of the fan K,arranged todrawtie
air from the top of the chamber. From the shaft L of this fan, driven from
any convenient prime mover, motion maybe conveniently derived for working
the endless chain F. For this purpose the fan shaft L is fitted with stepped
pulleys M, a belt from which drives corresponding pulleys N on a shaft P
below, and a pinion on this second shaft P drives a spur wheel on a third
shaft Q, a pinion on which last drives a spur wheel R fast on the shaft of
the lower chain pulley H. It is not necessary to spread everyseparate layer of
grain on the top stage by hand, as the grain may be deposited at intervals to
a considerable depth upon the top stage, and the extent of opening or thetime
during which the top stage remains open, at each revolution of the endless
chain may be regulated or limited to that sufficient for the quantity desirable
for a single layer to fall through upon the stage below. If this arrangement
is adopted the top stage must be made sufficiently strong to bear the weightof

page_text: grain that may be placed upon it, the slats composing it must be unperforated
or impermeable, and the communication with the fan must be made below it.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is or may be performed, I have to state that I do not restrict
myself to the precise details herein described or delineated, and that I do not
claim as novel every separate detail herein described or delineated, but that
what I believe to be novel and original, and claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly, as regards the cleaning machine, the combining and arranging of
the parts, the enclosing of the whole in an outer casing, with provision for
collecting the separated impurities, the placing of the riddle in the suction
current proceeding to the fan, and the forming of the riddling surface with
shallow grooves or corrugations and transverse holes, all substantially as
herein described and delineated.*
Secondly, as regards the washing and drying apparatus, the combining
the two parts of the apparatus, and generally the arranging and combining
of the various parts substantially as herein described and delineated.
And, thirdly, as regards the drying apparatus, the employing of a series of
stages which transfer, thegrain from one to the other, by the tilting or opening
of the component parts of such stages, and generally the constructing and
arranging of the apparatus, substantially as herein described and delineated:
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Young, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
28, St. Enoch Square,
Glasgow.
ROBERT YOUNG. (LS)