Ventilation and other Purposes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1889
Specification Accepted, 9th Mar., 1889
Ventilation and other Purposes.
I, DAVID GEORGE HOEY of Commercial Bank Buildings, 8, Gordon Street, Glasgow
Lanarkshire Ventilating Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to he particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has reference to an improved construction of ventilating or other
revolving cowls or hoods and the parts relating thereto.
Revolving cowls or hoods as presently constructed are generally balanced on a central
spindle supported on a crossbar or otherwise on the top of the shaft or funnel. This
spindle serves as a pivot on which the cowl turns by the action of the wind on a vane
or weathercock in such a manner as to keep the back of the hood or cowl always to the
wind, so as to allow the smoke or other products of combustion, or the otherwise heated
or vitiated air to pass out of the shaft continuously, and without danger of down
draught. Such a balanced hood or cowl works well so long as the spindle on which it
turns remains on the true perpendicular, but if the spindle gets even slightly off the
true perpendicular, whether by the action of the wind or from other cause, and so as
to throw the cowl off its true balance, its efficient action is thereby impaired or
destroyed. The manner in which cowls or hoods are secured in their position against
the action of a high wind is very deficient and leads to their being frequently lifted
away by the wind.
My invention has for its object to remedy these defects and to so construct a cowl
or hood and the parts relating thereto that it will always be in efficient action and
remain in true and secure position.
In carrying out my invention, by one method, I rivet or otherwise uttach to the
ventilating shaft or funnel an angle iron, tee, channel, or "H" iron, or equivalent,
which extends around its outer circumference, to serve as a race or course, on which
ball castors, wheels, or their equivalent, which are made to support or to regulate the
effective action of the cowl or hood, run. This race or course may be grooved or
hollowed out if desired.

page_text: The castors or equivalent are held in position by brackets, or their equivalent, secured
to and projecting from the lower part or neck of the hood or cowl. In cases where the
cowl or hood is balanced upon a supporting spindle I by one method use three castors,
or their equivalent, to ensure the efficient action of the cowl under a strong wind.
These castors or their equivalent are placed, in order to keep the cowl with its back to
the wind, two at the open mouth or face of the cowl and one at the back part. The
two castors or equivalent at the open mouth are so fitted that, on the least oscillatory
movement of the cowl, they run freely upon the upper side of the projecting rib of the
angle or tee iron, or of the web of the channel or "H" iron, or equivalent, whilst the
third or back one is so fitted that it runs on the underside of the rib or web.
this arrangement, on the slightest extra wind pressure, which might otherwise cause
the spindle to deviate from the true perpendicular, the castors or rollers will come into
play, the two at the mouth bearing on the upper side of the race, whilst the third
bears on the under side, thus preserving equilibrium and efficient action, whilst, at the
same time, the third or back castor, or equivalent, bearing on the under side of the
race, prevents the cowl being blown off, or put out of its true position, with the wind
bearing on the back of the cowl.
With
Instead of one ball castor, or its equivalent, at the back of the cowl, on the under
side of the race or course, and two castors, or their equivalent, at the open mouth or
face part of the cowl, on the upper side of the race or course, I may employ three pairs
of castors, one of each pair running on the under, and one on the upper side of the
race or course. The three under castors will thus prevent the cowl being blown off
with the wind blowing from any direction or shifting about.
Instead of using, as aforesaid, the ordinary balancing spindle, I may dispense with
it altogether. In such cases I prefer to employ three pairs of castors, or their
equivalent, for the cowl to revolve on, grouped in twos, one upper and one under, in
such positions round about the lower part of the cowl as may be most suitable,
preferably at or about situations equidistant from each other. These castors, or
equivalent, I place in such a manner, that, under irregular and gusty action of the
wind, the lower one of that group which is, at the moment of such wind action, on the
windward side, bears and freely runs on the under side of the rib or web of the angle,
tee, or other iron, or equivalent, whilst the upper castors of the other two, or lee side
groups, bear and freely run on the upper side of said rib or web. As will be seen,
with this arrangement of three pairs of castors, or their equivalent, the effective action
of the cowl is always assured, as, should the wind suddenly veer round from the back
to the front or side of the cowl, the cowl cannot possibly be blown off or be lifted out of
position, as, no matter how the wind strikes the cowl, there is always a castor, or
equivalent, bearing on the under side of the race, at that side on which the wind
strikes, to keep it in position, and two castors, or equivalent, on the lee side, bearing
on the upper side of the race. The action of the ball castors, or equivalent, running
thus freely on the race, above and below, ensures the cowl revolving in sympathy with
the slightest change of wind. The number of pairs of castors or equivalent may be
increased to any extent as desired.
Instead of attaching the angle iron or other race or course to the funnel or shaft, as.
hereinbefore described, it may be secured to the lower part or neck of the hood or
cowl, and the castors, rollers, or equivalent would then be secured to the funnel or
shaft.
Under another arrangement, the race or course is made of a rim of metal, or
equivalent, preferably hollowed out, which is secured to the lower part or neck of the
hood or cowl and extends around its inner circumference. To the ventilating or other
shaft or funnel, three or other number of brass or other metal cups, or ball sockets, or
equivalent, are secured; these cups or sockets are made hollow so as to form a seat or
rest for the balls contained in them, each cup containing one ball which may either
turn directly therein or on other smaller balls provided within the cup. The cups or
sockets are so fitted to the funnel that the balls shall bear up the under side of the
metal rim constituting the race or course, and thus keep the hood or cowl always freely
revolving. When this arrangement is used, to prevent the cow! being blown off or put

page_text: out of its true position, a small pulley, wheel, or roller, or equivalent, is or may be fitted
to the under side of each cup or socket. Immediately the cowl, under the action of
the wind, tends to rise out of its place, an angle or other iron, which is secured to the
lower part of the hood or cowl and extends around its inner circunference, catches on
the said pulley, wheel, or roller, and keeps the cowl revolving in true position.
Instead of the race being secured to the cowl, as aforesaid, it may be secured to the
ventilating or other shaft or funnel and the ball cups be secured to the cowl.
Under another arrangement the ball castors, or their equivalent, may be attached
to "tee" or other irons or equivalent, secured at intervals to the outer circumference
of the outlet shaft or funnel. These hall castors would be preferably grouped in twos
or pairs, one upper and one under, the upper ones bearing up a metal rin or course,
(preferably hollowed out,) secured to and extending around the inner circumforence
of the cowl or hood, whilst an angle or other iron or equivalent, secured to the lower
part of the hood or cowl, and extending around its inner circumference, catches on the
lower ball castors or their equivalent, and keeps the cowl or hood revolving in its true
position. The lower sot of ball castors or their equivalent, under this arrangement,
perform the same functions as the wheels, pulleys or rollers, described under the
preceding arrangement.
The cowl is made with a clean sweep so that a free outlet for the ascending air or
other gas or vapor is provided, and it is, or may be, dished out or expanded, at, or
may have a piece or ring of metal or equivalent, of larger diameter, rivettod or other-
wise secured to, its lower end; this expanded or additional part encloses the angle or
other iron, or equivalent forming the race for the ball castors, wheels, rollers or balls,
hereintofore described, and serves to protect these from the weather, and to cover the
top of the outlet funnel or shaft, whilst it enables the cowl to be made of such
diameter as to be, as far as may be desired, in line with, and to serve as a continuation
of, the ventilating shaft, and thus to form a free and smooth surface for promoting the
unobstructed outflow of the heated or vitiated air or other gas or vapor.
A back balance weight is or may be fitted on, or to, the hood or cowl to counter-
balance its extended snout, or otherwise the weight of the front and back of the hoo:
or cowl is or may be adjusted so as to produce an equipoise.
When a cowl or hood is required to revolve with special caso and sensitiveness.
the race or course may be made of gun metal or other special material truly turned
and finished, and the balls of the castors, or the balls contained in the cups, or the
wheels and rollers may be made of phosphor bronze or specially prepared steel or
other suitable metal or material.
When a cast or rolled angle iron, toe, or other iron is used, a groove may be
formed therein, and in this groove the ball castors, rollers or equivalent may run.
The lower or both series of ball castors or their equivalent may be fittel with
springs, allowing the castors sufficient play to enable them to over-ride any
projections or other impediments which may occur in the race or course, and the
balls contained in each castor may either turn directly therein or on other smaller
balls provided therein.
In the case of tubes of conduits for conveying fresh air into the cabins or berths
of ships, or whenever a down-draught is desired, the vane or weather-cock fitted on
the top of the cowl or hood may be turned in such manner as to reverse the usual
position and keep the mouth or face to the wind; or the vane or weathercock may
have a nut, bolt, screw or equivalent fitted on to it, capable of adjusting it to any
desired direction.
My improved construction of revolving cowl or hood whilst specially designed for
use with my invention for ventilating halls, rooms or other interiors, No. 5931
of 1888, may be used for any of the purposes for which revolving cowls or hoods
are presently employed, or for which they may be found to be applicable.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, illustrating by way of example methods
of constructing cowls or hoods and the parts relating thereto in accordance with my
invention.

page_text: nererring to the drawings.
Fig. 1, is a vertical section on the line a-a fig. 2 of one arrangement of my improved
construction of revolving cowl or hood and the parts relating thereto, wherein
ball castors or their equivalent are used, showing a part of the funnel or shaft
broken away.
Fig. 2, is a sectional plan view on the line b,-b fig. 1.
Fig. 3, represents in section the "H" iron race or course fig. 1, showing the
under ball castor on a larger scale.
Fig. 4 represents in section a different arrangement of ball castors and race from
that shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 5, is a vertical section of a part of a hood or cowl and shaft, showing the
arrangement of ball cups applied thereto.
Fig. 6, is a side elevation of fig. 5, whilst fig. 7 is a sectional plan view thereof
on the line c―c.
Referring to figs. 1, 2 and 3.
A, is the ventilating or other shaft or funnel in which is supported by the cross
bars B and C, the vertical spindle D, on which the cowl is balanced and is free to
turn. The lower end of the cowl is expanded or has a piece E, of larger diameter
fitted to it overlapping the shaft or funnel A, and upon this piece a back balance
weight may be supported as indicated at F. To the piece E three or other number
of brackets G, are secured, and in these brackets three or other number of ball
castors H or their equivalent are screwed or otherwise fixed one on each bracket G.
In these figures the method of using six castors and consequently six brackets is
shown. The castors H, run on the race formed by the web of the "H" iron, I,
which is rivetted or otherwise secured to the shaft A. Although I have shown an
"H" iron, an angle, "lee," or other iron may be used or their equivalent, and the
lower or both series of castors H, may be provided with springs h, (see fig. 3) which
bear upon the brackets G, and so by their elasticity enable the ball castors to over-ride
projections or other obstructions on the race I. The lower set of brackets G, are
preferably bolted to the part E of the cowl so that they can be easily taken off and
the hond or cowl can then be lifted off for inspection or other purposes. The hood
or cowl has the usual vane J, to keep it with its back to the wind. When a down-
draught is desired the vane would be placed the opposite way from that shown.
The vane J, may be made large and feathered out so as to give greater purchase in
the case of large cowls, or cowls turned to the wind or where otherwise desirable, or
it may have a nut, bolt, screw or equivalent, fitted on to it, capable of adjusting it
to any desired direction.
In fig. 4, the ball castors or their equivalent, instead of being secured on brackets
fitted to the cowl as at fig. 1, are attached to tee pieces Q, secured at intervals
around the outer circumference of the outlet shaft or funnel A. The ball castors
are preferably grouped in pairs, one upper and one under, as shown, the upper ones
bear up a vertical rim or course R, (preferably hollowed out as shown) secured by
rivetting or otherwise to, and extending around the inner circumference of, the cow!
or hood E. To prevent the cowl or hood, E, being blown off or lifted out of position,
an angle or other iron, S, is secured to its lower part. This iron, S, extends around
the inner circumference of the cowl or hood, E, and on the slightest tendency of the
cowl to rise, catches on the lower hall castors, or their equivalent, and keeps the cowl
or hood revolving in its true position.
At figures 5, 6, and 7, the method of carrying out my invention by the use of cups
and balls, is shown. Under this arrangement a rim or piece of metal, K, preferably
hollowed out as shown, is rivetted or otherwise secured to, and extends around the
inner circumference of, the part E of the cowl or hood; and, to the ventilating or
other shaft or funnel A, three or other number of brass or other cups L are secured.
In these cups, phosphor bronze or other friction balls M, are placed. When the
cowl is in position the race, K, bears and slides on the balls, M. To prevent the
cowl being blown off or lifted out of position, jaws or brackets N, may be cast on or
secured to the under side of the cups L, and in these jaws or brackets small wheels

page_text: or rollers or equivalent are secured, and to the lower end of the cowl or hood E an
angle or other iron or equivalent P is likewise secured. On the slightest tendency of
the cowl to rise, this iron P, which extends around the inner circumference of the
cowl or hood E, catches on the roilers O, and thus keeps the cowl revolving in its
true position. This ring P, would be preferably bolted to the part E, so that it
could be easily taken off, and the cowl be then lifted off the funnel A, for inspection
or other purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A ventilating or other revolving cowl or hood, having ball castors or their
equivalent fitted thereto, said castors or their equivalent running on a circular race
or course secured to the ventilating or other shaft, substantially as and for the purposes
herein before set forth.
2. The providing in connection with a ventilating or other revolving cowl or hood,
having ball castors or their equivalent fitted thereto or to the ventilating or other
shaft or funnel, of an angle, "tee," channel "H" or other iron or equivalent circular
race or course for the ball castors or their equivalent to run on, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
3. In a ventilating or other revolving cowl or hood the providing of a circular
race or course made of a ring of metal or its eqvivalent said race or course bearing
and sliding freely on balls contained in cups or on a series of ball castors or their
equivalent, secured to the ventilating or other shaft, substantially as herein before
described with reference to figs. 4, 56 and 7 of the drawings annexed.
4. The providing in connection with a revolving cowl or hood, of an angle iron or
other circular race, said race, on the slightest tendency of the cowl or hood to rise out
of position, catching on ball castors, wheels, rollers or their equivalent, secured to the
ventilating or other shaft, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth
with reference to figs. 4, 5 6 and 7 of the drawings annoxod.
5. The combination with the cups L, of wheels or rollers O, and an angle iron or
other circular race P, substantially as herein before described and shown at figs. 5, 6
and 7 of the annexed drawings.
6. The dishing out or expanding of the lower end of a ventilating or other
revolving cowl or hood, or the attaching thereto of a piece or ring of metal of larger
diameter than the cowl or hood, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
set forth.
7. The combination with a ventilating or other revolving cowl or hood, of ball
castors or their equivalent and of an angle, tee, channel or "H" iron or other
circular race or course for the castors or their equivalent to run on, all substantially
as hereinbefore described and shown on the annexed drawings.
8. The general arrangement and combination of parts of my improved revolving
cowl or hood, and parts relating thereto, all being constructed and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described and shown under the various methods at
figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, à 6 and 7 of the drawings annexed.
Dated this 1st day of Fahru 1880
.H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow,
Agent.