Improvements in Presses for Preparing Block-fuel, and other purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 12th May, 1892-Accepted, 18th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Presses for Preparing Block-fuel, and other
purposes.
1, SIMEON OAKES HOLMES, of Newport Towers, Berkeley, in the County of
Gloucester, Block-fuel Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to presses for compressing block-fuel, and for other similar
purposes, and consists in the formation and arrangement of a rotary table carrying
the moulds and stamps which are thereby brought in turn into position for charging,
compressing, and discharging. In carrying out this invention the moulds, each
containing a stamp or ram, are mounted in nests of any convenient number at the
extremities of a number of radial arms forming the said table, which rotates upon
its centre about a horizontal shaft. The said radial arms are of such a number
that when two are in a vertical line, two others are in a horizontal line. The table
is rotated intermittently, so as to bring its arms in turn opposite the three points at
which the moulds carried thereby are charged, compressed, and discharged, by
means of a pawl actuated by a crank on the main shaft, and taking into a ratchet
wheel secured to the said table. Two longitudinally reciprocating links work one
on each side of the table, being actuated by a crank on the main shaft, and are
provided with lugs on their inner sides which engage with and operate the stamps
in the moulds. The stamps for each nest of moulds are carried by a plate having
projecting lugs to engage with the lugs on the reciprocating links and arranged to
slide within the arms of the rotating table to and from the moulds, when actuated
by the said lugs. The spaces between the extremities of the adjacent arms of the
table are occupied by curved strips of metal which close the opening in the
charging apparatus except when the mouths of one nest of moulds are opposite
the said opening. A stationary curved piece is fixed between the said charging
opening and the stationary block against which the contents of the moulds are
pressed, so as to prevent the loss of any of the contents of the moulds as they
travel from a vertical to a horizontal position from the charging to the compressing
apparatus. One nest of moulds on coming under the charging opening is filled
with the fuel composition and then travels through a quarter of a circle to a hori-
zontal position. The reciprocating links are then drawn forward and carry with
them the stamps which compress the composition against a fixed block. The
moulds then travel through half of a circle to the diametrically opposite point
where the return motion of the reciprocating links give the rams a further move-
ment to eject the blocks from the moulds. While travelling through the next
quarter of a circle to the charging opening the stamps fall back in the moulds
thereby allowing filling space for the same being re-charged. It will be readily
understood that each nest of moulds is similarly charged, compressed, and
discharged, to that described.
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
16
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention " Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Presses for Preparing Block-fuel, and other
purposes.
I, SIMEON OAKES HOLMES, late of Newport Towers, Berkeley, in the County
of Gloucester, but now of Avonmore, Kew, in the County of Surrey, Block-fuel
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the use in the manufacture of block-fuel of presses
employed for compressing the materials so as to form suitable blocks.
I use a
rotary table constructed as hereinafter fully described for carrying the moulds and
stamps which are thereby brought in turn into position for charging, compressing,
and discharging.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom-
panying 3 sheets of drawings, in all the figures of which like reference-letters are
employed to distinguish similar parts.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Figure 2 a plan partly in horizontal section, of
a press constructed as used by me.
Figures 3 and 4 are detailed drawings of the rotary table to be hereinafter more
fully described.
The moulds in which the fuel composition is compressed are mounted in groups
of any convenient number at the ends A, B, C, D, of a number of tubular equi-
distant radial arms, which, together with the rim T, constitute the rotary table.
Though but four of these equidistant radial arms are shewn in the drawings, any
number may be employed; and it is advantageous so to arrange them that while
two are vertical, two are horizontal. For convenience of manufacture the rotary
table is shewn made in one casting, it will be readily understood that the moulds
are supported only by the radial arins of the said table, the rim T being, as already
stated, simply for the purpose of closing the orifice in the charging apparatus. If
desired the said orifice may be closed by a sliding door or other suitable means, in
which case the rim T may be dispensed with, the table then consisting of the radial
arms only.
As shewn in the drawings, each group A, B, C, D, consists of a single cellular
casting J of gun-metal or other suitable material. This casting J is enclosed within
a cast-iron or steel socket K which may be "shrunk "
upon, or otherwise
permanently attached to, the said cellular casting J. It is obvious that each
group of moulds may consist of one casting, the object of the socket or outer
casting K being to take the compressing strain to which the moulds are submitted
during the operation of compressing each charge, and thereby relieve the table of
such strain and allow of its being constructed in a lighter manner.
Each group of
moulds is secured in position in the periphery of the rotary table by means of set
screws L as shewn, so that it may be readily removed when required. Each cell
or mould of each group is provided with a solid stamp, ram, or plunger E made to
fit freely within its respective mould. The stamps E are so arranged that their
ends never leave the moulds, the inner ends of which are thereby always closed.
All the stamps E for each group of moulds A, B, C, D, are carried by a stout plate
or bearer F to which they are secured by bolts G or other suitable means. These
plates F are fitted within the hollow arms of the rotary table so that they may slide
freely therein and, in so doing, carry the stamps E backwards and forwards in the
moulds. The ends H of these plates or bearers F are extended so as to pass
through slots in the sides of the arms of the rotary table, against the edges I of
which they take their bearing, and project into the path of lugs A¹ on the
reciprocating slides Z.
The rotary table described is mounted upon, and keyed to, the horizontal shaft Q

page_text: journalled at R in the bearings of the main casting or framework P. The shaft Q,
and with it the rotary table, is intermittently rotated by means of the pawl Ji
actuated by the crank disc I¹ on the main shaft S and taking into a ratchet wheel
on the said shaft Q. This ratchet wheel consists of two discs L' held apart from
one another by a suitable distance piece and connected by as many equidistant
studs or pins K' as there are arms in the rotary table. The pawl J¹ works between
the discs L' and engages in turn with each of the studs K'. The parts are so
arranged that the pawl J¹ acts to bring each group of moulds A, B, C, D, in turn
opposite the stationary pressing block B2, one of the said groups being brought to
this position for each revolution of the main shaft S.
The main shaft S is journalled at U in bearings in the frame P and carries,
besides the crank disc I already referred to, two eccentrics V with their straps W
the eccentric rods of which are connected by means of pins Y with the slide
blocks or shoes Z working within guides projecting from the inner sides of the
framework P. It will be seen that the rotation of the shaft S, through the
eccentrics imparts a reciprocating motion to the shoes Z. Though I have shewn
the eccentrics V in the drawings it is obvious that cranks may be employed for the
same purpose. As shewn at Figure 2, the shoes Z are placed one on each side of
the rotary table with their lugs A¹ projecting inwards towards the said table so as
to engage with the extended ends H of the stamp supporting plates F previously
described. The main shaft S receives its motion from the first motion or driving
shaft D, E, through the spur wheel H' and pinion G'. The driving shaft D', E',
is provided with a fly wheel F. Motion is transmitted to the machine by means
of belt, toothed, or other suitable gearing connecting the driving shaft D', E', with
the motive power.
The caps of both the bearings enclosing the journals U of the main shaft S form
parts of the casting W₁ carrying the thrust block B2 against which the fuel
composition is pressed by the stamps E. This casting W is held in position
against the thrust of the said stamps by the four tie-rods a which also serve to
keep the caps Z' of the bearings of the shaft Q in position. These tie-rods are
provided with nuts Y¹ at both ends by means of which the parts may be tightly
drawn together. Strong springs A2 are interposed between the casting Wi and
the nuts Y, so as to allow of the parts yielding slightly in the event of some
uncompressible material accidentally gaining access to the moulds. The greater
part of the weight of the casting W is taken by the bracket N upon which its
lower face rests.
Pivoted at M' to each of the eccentric straps Ware connecting rods N', one for
each eccentric, which are each connected to a lever P' pivoted at R¹ to the
bracket Q. It will be readily seen that the movement of the eccentrics acting
through the rods N' cause the levers P¹ to oscillate upon their pivots R'. The
lower ends of the levers P' carry rollers S¹, which, in their outward movement
bear against the inner sides of the ends H of the plates F carrying the stamps E
and drive them outwards to discharge the finished blocks of fuel from the moulds.
It will be seen that this operation takes place simultaneously with the compressing
of the contents of the opposite group of moulds to those discharged, the one
movement of the eccentrics effecting both operations.
The machine as hereinbefore described is placed immediately below a cooling
pan in which arms are rotating horizontally for filling the moulds, the operation of
filling being effected in the well known manner as will be understood by those
experienced in machinery of the kind in question.
The pan is close to the pug mill in which the composition from which the block-
fuel is made is kept mixed. The opening by which the composition is discharged
from the said pan is in immediate contact with the rim T of the rotating table. It
will be readily seen that this rim T prevents the composition leaving the pan by
acting as a sliding shutter to the said opening. In Figure 1 the lower portion of a
pan is indicated by dotted lines over the upper part of the rotating table. A
curved guard or shield C² extends from the outlet of the pan to the thrust block B²

page_text: and serves to prevent the escape of the fuel composition from the moulds in their
passage from the charging to the compressing point.
In use one of the groups of moulds is brought beneath the outlet of the pan as
shewn at A Figure 1, and the composition caused to enter the moulds. Motion is
then communicated to the machine and with the last half of the first revolution of
the main shaft S, the rotary table is turned through a quarter of a revolution (when
as shewn in the drawings it has four arms) by means of the pawl J. The table
then remains still while the main shaft makes another half revolution during which
the moulds carried by the next arm of the table are being filled from the pan at A,
and at the same time, the eccentrics V are acting to compress the contents of the
first group of moulds and to discharge the finished blocks M from the moulds at D
which are diametrically opposite to those being compressed in the manner already
fully described. With the next half rotation of the main shaft S the rotary table
is given another quarter of a revolution which brings those moulds last discharged
into position for charging (the stamps E at the same time falling back of their own
weight) those last charged into position for compressing and those the contents of
which were last compressed into their lowest position. With the next half
revolution of the shaft S charging, compressing, and discharging, is effected as
before described. The rotary table is then again shifted so as to bring the
compressed moulds into position for discharging and others to the charging,
compressing, and lowermost positions as before described. These operations are
repeated in regular order while the machine is in motion.
The table may when necessary be held at the right point for each compressing
operation by providing the rims of the ratchet discs L with a number of shallow
indents D2 into which a spring latch E2 drops as the said indents are brought
before it, so as to prevent the further rotation of the table. The said indents have
flaring mouths so that the latch is driven out from them on motion being again
given to the table.
Though I have described the construction of the press with the rotating table
carried upon a horizontal shaft and rotating in a vertical plane it is obvious that
the table may be operated in a horizontal or inclined position, the filling or feeding
mechanism being adapted to the given position as will be well understood.
It will also be understood that the points of charging and compressing may be
arranged at any suitable relative position to one another and not necessarily at
right angles. For instance, they may be placed at any angle with one another or
directly opposite each other in a line.
It will also be readily seen that the general arrangement and construction of the
various parts of the press other than the rotating table may be varied without
departing from my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) The use in a press employed for manufacturing block-fuel of an intermittently
rotating table consisting of a number of radial arms connected at their extremities
by a cylindrical rim and carrying, also at their extremities, groups of any convenient
number of moulds, combined with feeding, stamping, and discharging apparatus,
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and set forth and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(2) The manufacture of blocks for fuel by operating upon the materials intended
to be pressed and shaped into blocks by rotating pressing mechanism constructed
and operating substantially as herein described.
Dated this 11th dan LM
1000
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention " Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.