Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Sugar, Grain, Cotton-waste, and other Substances and Materials.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Sugar, Grain, Cotton-waste,
and other Substances and Materials.
We, THOMAS HALEY, Mechanical Engineer, and THEODORE HERMAN KRAFT,
Mechanical Superintendent, the former of 1401, East State Street, Rockford, Ill.,
and the latter of Pilgrim Hotel, Marshalltown, Iowa, both of U.S.A., do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which will more efficiently
dry sugar, grain, cotton-waste, and other substances in less time than those
apparatuses for the purpose at present in use.
The apparatus comprises a metal cylinder which is provided with circumferential
guides engaging rollers by which the cylinder is supported and upon which it is
capable of rotation; the cylinder being arranged so that it slopes towards one end.
At the lower end of the cylinder a diaphragm is arranged, forming a heating
compartment or chamber into which a pipe or annular casing projects from the
exterior. A steam pipe, of less diameter, passes through stuffing-boxes in the ends
of the casing, (there being a space between them) and projects into the compart-
ment, through the diaphragm and nearly to the end of an enlarged pipe or casing
concentrically arranged in the cylinder and terminating in a small heating chamber
centrally supported at the upper end of the cylinder by stay-rods or the like. This
pipe or casing
surrounded by parallel steam tubes also terminating in the
respective heating chambers.
The inner surface of the cylinder is lined with parallel steam tubes extending
from the outer circumference of the first referred to heating compartment to an
annular hollow ring-chamber internally fitted in the cylinder at the opposite end
and connected with the central heating chamber.
The space between the pipe or casing (which enters the first referred-to heating
compartment, from the exterior) and the steam pipe within the casing, has a
tube entering it outside the cylinder, and another one at its other end depending
into the said heating compartment thereby creating an exhaust way through which,
also, condensed water may be drawn or blown off.
The end covers (the lower one of which encloses the heating compartment first
mentioned) and the tubes are held in place by tie-rods extending the length of the
cylinder, and, if found convenient, through the tubes.
The lower end of the cylinder is enlarged in diameter and projects over the
heating compartment so that the substance or material, fed into the higher end of
the cylinder, by a worm or other conveyer or hopper, can travel to the lower end
and pass out over the circumferential edge of the heating compartment.
Doted this 5th day of April 18OS
R. RAINSFORD,
Agent for Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Sugar, Grain, Cotton-waste,
and other Substances and Materials.
We, THOMAS HALEY, Mechanical Engineer, and THEODORE HERMAN KRAFT,
Mechanical Superintendent, the former of 1401, East State Street, Rockford, Ill.,
and the latter of Pilgrim Hotel, Marshalltown, Iowa, both of U.S.A., 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:
Our invention relates to improvements in driers for drying seed, sugar, or any
similar material.
Our invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of
parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in central sectional side elevation of a
apparatus embodying our invention. In this figure both ends and the central portions
of the apparatus are shewn, and the portions between the ends and the central portion
are not shewn for the purpose of reducing the length of the drawing. Fig. 2 is a
view in elevation of the high or feed end of the machine, shewing said end with
front plate and feed chamber removed. Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the low or
delivering end of the drier. Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line - Fig 1
shewing the arrangement of tube supporting rings and also the angle irons between
the outer shell and the outer series of tubes. Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of the
swinging door with feed chamber and vapour exit attached thereto. Fig. 6
illustrates the manner of securing the tubes to the respective heads or chambers.
Figs. 7 8 and illustrate modified forms of construction of the high and low end
and door when it is desired to have the steam-feed pipe enter at the high end of
the machine.
Referring to the said drawings, A represents a cylindrical shell or casing which
has its axis placed sloping somewhat out of the horizontal. The raised or feed end
of said casing A is suitably attached to the outer surface of an annular tube head
or chamber B, and at the lower end cylinder A is secured to a cast metal ring A¹,
and an enlarged cylinder A2 is attached by means of ring A¹ at the said lower end.
A3 B1 represent tires which fit onto and are securely attached, respectively, to
the outer surface of intermediate cylinder or ring A¹ and tube chamber B. The
peripheries of the tires are adapted to roll upon friction rollers 3, d. The method
whereby we prefer to attach tire A³ to intermediate cylinder or ring A' is shewn
clearly in Fig. 3. Lugs e are arranged at suitable intervals around said tire,
through which bolts pass and are screwed into ring or cylinder A¹. Tire B¹ is
secured to chamber B by any suitable fastening means, such as bolts passed through
the inner flange 2. The friction rollers d³, d, have their shafts journalled in
cradles CC, having centrally placed shafts d, d, carried by standards D D', which
are suitably bolted to their respective bed plates D², D³.
Any longitudinal motion of the cylinder A is prevented by suitable thrust
rollers H, H, which roll against either side of tire A³ and revolve about vertical
shafts h, h', carried by suitable standards h2, h3, which are suitably bolted to bed
plate. D³.
B represents an annular spur-wheel which is suitably attached to the outer
side of tire B' in such position that it will revolve truly with cylinder A.
Grepresents a pinion-wheel which gears with spur-wheel B2 and has its shaft
supported by suitable bearings g,g. It will be observed that as cylinder A is
inclined from the horizontal the spur-wheel 132 will not be vertical, and it would
therefore be necessary to mitre both spur-wheel 132 and pinion-wheel G if the

page_text: shaft of gear wheel G is to be horizontal. In order to obviate the necessity of this,
we have introduced a universal coupling G', whereby the inclined shaft of gear-
wheel G is connected to any suitable horizontal driving shaft G.
J represents the main casing of a cylindrical tube chamber J common to both
sets of tubes, which is supported axially within the intermediate cylinder A¹ by
means of bolts j. Said bolts have V-shaped heads which fit into corresponding
V-shaped slots cut in a longitudinal direction upon the outer circumferential
surface of casing J, and pass through intermediate cylinder A into the
recesses, formed in tire A³, being held in position by nuts and lock-nuts j.
By this method of construction said tube-chamber J will be capable of moving
in a longitudinal direction, whereby the expansion of the heating-tubes connected
therewith will be allowed for if necessary. it will also be observed that by placing
tube-chamber within the enlarged portion of the cylinder A it can be increased in
diameter without closing up said cylinder, and by so enlarging said tube-chamber
tubes communicating therewith may be run very close to the inner surface of said
cylinder, whereby a special form of construction, hereinafter described, may be
conveniently carried out.
Krepresents another cylindrical tube-chamber, which is arranged axially within
an annular chamber B and is supported by means of supporting rods k, which are
flanged at each end and suitably attached by means of bolts passing through
said flanges to the inner ring of the annular tube chamber B and the outer surface
of the tube chamber K. Said rods are divided at their centres and have their
ends screwed in opposite directions and connected together by means of nuts k¹.
Krepresents tubes communicating at their respective ends with tube-chambers B
and K. Said tubes are preferably curved, as shewn, so that they will be able to
expand freely without causing ruptures at their joints.
represent a series of heating-tubes extending from the tube chamber B
to tube chamber J in a parallel direction with cylinder A and so as to form a circle
around the same.
K2 represents another circular row of heating tubes extending from tube
chamber K to chamber J, and K³ an axially-arranged tube also extending from
chamber K to chamber J. The ends of the tubes in row K which terminate in
tube chamber K are partially closed by plugs, the object of which will
hereinafter be explained.
K, J, B, represent openings formed in the respective casings of tube-
chambers K, J, and B, opposite to the ends of the tubes which terminate therein,
whereby access is obtained to the same for cleaning repairing or other purposes.
Je represents covers for said openings in the casing J', which are held in position
by means of supporting-bolts 6 and bridges j. K³ represents a cover for the
opening K, which is held in position by any suitable means.
The ends of said
L, represent stay-rods which pass through tubes J
stay-rods, which terminate in tube chamber J, are attached to the heads of bolts jo
of covers by means of knuckle joints, and the other ends of bolts jo pass
through holes in covers in the casing of the tube chamber B and are threaded for
nuts b, whereby the stay-rods may be screwed up tight and said covers B be held in
position.
L represents spider or star shaped supports, whereby said stay-rods L, are
prevented from sagging in tubes J. N, N represent an axially-arranged steam-
pipe which passes through tube-chamber J and nearly through the axially-arranged
tube K. represents a casing of larger internal diameter than said steam pipe N,
which surrounds the same at its lower end and also passes into tube-chamber J.
The annular chamber P thus formed around steam-pipe N is closed at its outer end
by a stuffing-box R and at the end within the tube-chamber J by a portion of
reduced diameter p', into which the two portions N N of said steam pipe are
5 screwed and thus made continuous with one another.
J2 represents an annular axially-arranged cover which partly closes a corre-
sponding opening formed in the casing J of tube-chamber J opposite to

page_text: tubes K K and which is detachably attached to said casing J¹ by suitable
means. The opening in said annular cover J2 is also axially arranged and is
also closed by a suitable cover J³. Q represents a stuffing-box formed around an
opening in said cover J³, through which the aforementioned casing P' passes.
1 represents a pipe which communicates with the lower portion of the tube
chamber J and the inner end of the annular chamber p, and P an exhaust-pipe
communicating with the outer end of said annular chamber p.
N represents suitable anti-friction bearings formed about said steam-pipe N
within tube K³, whereby the friction produced when said tube revolves
about said steam-pipe is reduced to a minimum, and S represents an anti-friction
bearing which is supported from cover J2 by means of webs s, whereby casing P is
supported within the tube chamber J.
in order to form compartments about the interior of the cylinder A so that the
material which is to be dried therein may be properly agitated, we close up the
spaces between tubes J and casing A by means of angle-irons Q', which have
one of their sides suitably attached to easing A and the others extending to
and against said tubes. Said angle-irons also form the means of stiffening the
cylinder A and thus enabling its length to be increased, with a result of a more
economical use of steam which is used as a heating agent in the apparatus.
In order to prevent the tubes contained in cylinder A from sagging, we have
introduced a centrally placed vertical stay-plate, the construction of which is
clearly shewn in Fig. 4. An annular plate V through which each of the tubes in
row passes, is supported from casing A by means of supporting plates v, and a
circular plate V1, through which each of the tubes in row K³ and the central
tube K passed, is supported from annular plate V by means of supporting bars v¹.
Although we have only shewn one of said vertical stay-plates, we do not restrict
ourselves to this number, as it is obvious that more might in some cases be used
with advantage.
A represents a cylindrical casing suitably attached to the inner side of the
flange b, formed around and continuous with the inner ring or annular tube-
chamber B, whereby a feeding chamber is formed into which the material to be
dried is delivered before passing into the drying-cylinder A. An angle-iron a is
passed around the outer end of said casing A and is suitably attached thereto,
whereby a flange is formed against which a circular door T lies. Said circular
door T is supported from above by means of arms and a bearing, which is slotted
in a longitudinal direction, whereby said door is enabled to adjust itself properly
to lie stationary upon said flange while it revolves about the same. Said bearing
is suitably attached to a hanger 2, which is bolted or otherwise attached to any
suitable support.
Trepresents a vapour exit pipe which communicates through door T with
cylinder A, and T a feeding arrangement which may be of any suitable form
placed on one side of said door T, whereby the material to be dried may be
continuously fed in proper quantities into said cylinder A+.
The aforementioned enlarged cylinder A2 is made of such a length that the dried
material may be discharged clear over thrust roller H into any suitable receiving
vessel.
Having now given a general description of our improved apparatus, we will
proceed to explain the operation of the same.
Steam passes up supply pipe N N¹ into the tube-chamber K. The ends of the
tubes K2 are partially plugged. The size of the openings remaining is such
that only a portion of the steam will pass through said tubes to tube-chamber J,
the remainder circulating through the connecting tubes K', into annular tube-
chamber B and thence through tubes J into tube-chamber J. Condensed water
is removed from chamber J through pipe P2, annular chamber and discharge-
pipe P. Casing A is revolved by means of driving-shaft G2, as before described.
The sugar or other material to be dried is delivered into the feeding cylinder A* by
means of the feeding arrangement T3, from whence it works by gravity into the

page_text: heating-cylinder A, where it first comes into contact with the outer row of tubes J*,
and is carried around in the compartments formed by said tubes and angle-irons Q
until said compartments reach a certain point, when the material will be tipped
out onto the central row of tubes K2, from whence it falls into the compartments
which are below to be again raised and thrown onto tubes K. This process
will go continuously on until the material working gradually downward under
the influence of gravity passes into cylinders A'A and is finally discharged into
any suitable receptacle.
We have shewn in Fig. 6 our preferred method of securing the tubes J* or K²
to their respective heads or chambers, and this consists in providing each tube
with a stuffing box, through which it passes at one end. The stuffing box forms
part of the material of the respective chambers or head and is provided with an
annular follower K having an inturned flange which is slotted to engage a tool
for screwing it home, or in place.
In Figs. 7, 8, and 9 we have illustrated a construction wherein the steam-feed
pipe enters the drier at its high or feed end. In this construction we have shewn
the steam-pipe R' entering the head K through a stuffing-box K and stopping
short in head or chamber K. The central tube I should be plugged the same as
tubes 2, and the exhaust tube 0, takes the place of the annular space p, is
capped or closed at both ends, and has pipes P1 and P2, connected to it as shewn in
Fig. 9.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
(1) The combination with a rotating inclined cylinder, of a heating system
consisting of suitable tube-chambers, placed at each end of said cylinder, a row of
tubes arranged around said casing, an axially arranged steam-pipe passing sub-
stantially through the cylinder, an axially-arranged tube surrounding the major
portion of said steam-pipe, substantially as shewn and described.
(2) The combination with an inclined rotating cylinder, of a heating system
consisting of suitable tube-chambers, placed at each end of said cylinder, a row of
tubes arranged around said casing, a group of tubes arranged within said row of
tubes, an axially-arranged steam-pipe passing substantially through the cylinder
and nearly through an axially-arranged tube, which latter surrounds the major
portion of said steam pipe, substantially as shewn and described.
(3) A rotary drier, comprising an inclined rotating cylinder A having por-
tions A and A2 of increased diameter, tube chambers J and K at each end of the
cylinder, the chamber J being suspended within the increased diameter portion of
the cylinder, a row of tubes arranged around said cylinder, a centrally arranged
group of tubes, an axially-arranged steam pipe, and a condensed-water exit,
substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.
(4) A rotary drier, comprising an inclined rotating cylinder A having a portion
of its lower end of increased diameter, an annular tube-chamber B, attached to one
end of said cylinder, a cylindrical tube chamber K of smaller diameter than said
cylinder, also at one end of same and communicating with said annular chamber B
by means of suitable pipes, a tube chamber I supported within said increased-
diameter portion of the cylinder, a row of tubes arranged around said cylinder
and extending between tube-chambers J and B, an inner group of tubes K²
extending between tube chambers K and J having their ends which terminate in
chamber partially closed, an axially arranged tube K³, also extending between
chambers J and K, an axially arranged steam-pipe passing through tube K³ and to
or about to the end of said tube, a casing P passing through a stuffing-box into
tube chamber J, whereby an annular chamber, such as p, is formed around said
steam-pipe, which is closed at its outer end by a stuffing-box, and within tube-
chamber J by a portion which closely embraces said steam-pipe, a pipe communicat-
ing with the lower portion of the tube chamber J, and the inner end of an annular

page_text: chamber P, and an exhaust-pipe communicating with outer end of said chamber p,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
(5) A rotary drier, comprising an inclined rotating cylinder A having a portion
of its lower end of increased diameter, an annular tube chamber B attached to
one end of said cylinder, a cylindrical tube chamber of smaller diameter than
said cylinder, also arranged at one end of the same and supported in a suitable
manner, and communicating with chamber B by means of suitable connecting-
pipes, a tube-chamber supported within that portion of the cylinder having an
increased diameter, an outer row and an inner group of tubes, the ends of said
tubes terminating in chambers and respectively, an axially-arranged tube K³
extending between chambers J and K an axially-arranged steam-pipe passing
through tube K, a casing P' passing through a stunting-box into tube chamber,
whereby an annular chamber, such as 7 is 1ormed around said steam-pipe, a pipe
communicating with the lower portion of tube-chamber J, and the inner end of
annular chamber p, and an exhaust-pipe communicating with the outer end of said
chamber p, an anti-friction bearing supporting the casing P within tube-
chamber J, a suitable number of anti-friction bearings supporting said steam-pipe
within the axial tube K, cleaning holes, doors and stay-rods, all arranged
substantially as shewn and described and for the purposes set forth.
(6) In a rotary drier, the combination with an inclined cylinder and cast metal
cylinder or ring, the latter constituting an enlarged portion, said cylinder and cast
metal cylinder or ring revolving upon suitable friction-rollers, of a bevel tyre
integral with said metal cylinder or ring, and a tyre secured to the outer surface or
periphery of the tube-chamber at the forward end of the drier, substantially as
shewn and described.
(7). In a rotary drier, the combination with an inclined rotary cylinder, of tube
chambers arranged at each end of said cylinder, a group or groups of tubes
extending between said tube chambers, one of said tubes being axially arranged,
an axially-arranged steam pipe passing through the lower tube-chamber and to or
about to the end of axially arranged tube, a casing of larger internal diameter
than said steam-pipe surrounding the same, and passing through a stuffing-box
into said lower tube-chamber, whereby an annular chamber is formed around said
steam-pipe, which is closed at its outer end by a stuffing-box and within tube-
chamber J, by a portion which closely embraces said steam-pipe, a pipe com-
municating with the lower portion of said tube-chamber and inner end of annular
chamber and of an exhaust-pipe communicating with the outer end of said annular
chamber, substantially for the purposes specified.
(S) In a rotary drier, the combination with an inclined rotary cylinder, of tube-
chambers arranged at each end of said cylinder, a group or groups of tubes
extending between said tube-chambers, one of said tubes being axially arranged,
an axially-arranged steam pipe passing through lower tube chamber and to or about
to the end of axially-arranged tube, a casing of larger internal diameter than
said steam-pipe surrounding the same, and passing through a stuffing-box into
said lower tube-chamber, whereby an annular chamber is formed around said
steam-pipe, which is closed at its outer end by a stuffing-box and within tube
chamber J by a portion which closely embraces said steam-pipe, a pipe com-
municating with the lower portion of said tube-chamber and inner end of annular
chamber, of an exhaust-pipe communicating with the outer end of said annular
chamber, substantially for the purpose specified.
(9) In a rotary drier, the combination with an inclined rotary cylinder, of tube-
chambers arranged at each end of said cylinder, a group or groups of tubes
extending between said tube-chambers, one of said tubes being axially arranged,
an axially-arranged steam-pipe passing through lower tube-chamber and to or
about to the end of the axially arranged tube, a casing of larger internal diameter
than said steam pipe surrounding the same, and passing through a stuffing box
into said lower tube-chamber, whereby an annular chamber is formed around said
steam-pipe, which is closed at its outer end by a stuffing box, and within tube-

page_text: chamber J, by a portion which closely embraces said steam-pipe, a pipe com-
municating with the lower portion of said tube chamber and inner end of annular
chamber and of an exhaust-pipe communicating with the outer end of said annular
chamber, substantially for the purposes specified.
(10) In a rotary drier, an inclined rotary cylinder A, having an intermediate
portion A of increased diameter, and an end portion A2 of greater diameter than
the cylinder A substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.
(11) In a rotary drier, the combination with an inclined rotating cylinder,
having a portion of its lower end of increased diameter, of a tube-chamber
suspended within the increased diameter portion of the cylinder, substantially as
shewn and described and for the purposes set forth.
ated this 6th day of January 1899.
R. RAINSFORD,
Agent for Applicants.