IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BLOWING, EXHAUSTING, COOLING, HEATING, PURIFYING, & ATTEMPERATING, AIR, GAS, & FLUIDS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Wilson, Engineer, Stockton on Tees, County
Durham, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BLOWING,
EXHAUSTING, COOLING, HEATING, PURIFYING, & ATTEMPERATING, AIR, GAS, &
FLUIDS."
Sealed the 23rd December 1879, and dated the 6th October 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Wilson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th October 1879.
HENRY WILSON, Engineer, Stockton on Tees, County Durham. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR BLOWING, EXHAUSTING, COOLING, HEATING, PURIFYING, &
ATTEMPERATING AIR, GAS, & FLUIDS."
My Invention consists in part of improvements on the Patent granted to me
bearing date the 8th of April 1879, No. 1398.
My Invention as to be used in connection with the arrangements described in
the above Specification of Patent, and also with these my present improvements,
consists in an air pump or blower constructed of a square or other suitable shaped
case divided into one, two, three, or more spaces. These spaces are lined
round the sides with plate glass or other smooth hard substance, the case being
made by preference of wood, but any other rigid substance will be available, or
the glass may be let into strong frames at the corners, to allow the working of the
interior to be visible. In each of the above named spaces are placed solid buckets,
packed by preference with fur or other elastic material. These buckets are worked
by rods passing through the divisions and top of the case, and are actuated by
eccentrics or cranks on the driving shafts, the divisions and top and bottom of the
case being fitted with inlet and outlet valves or grids, with flaps or covers in the
usual way. Immediately in front of the outlet valve openings I place perforated
pipes, through which small jets of water or any other cooling, cleansing, or dis-
infecting fluid is ejected upon the air or gas driven out by the action of the pumps,
this fluid being converted by the action of the air coming violently in contact with
it is driven in form of spray upon cloths hung in suitable positions. I also some-
tiznes use for this purpose fringes of cord or any other fibrous substance, and by
preference I attach a series of cloths or fringes to rods fixed in a chain at each end,
which chain passes over drums or pulleys fitted to shafting and driven by gear,
11

page_text: the water or fluid being contained in a reservoir, into which the cloths or fringes
dip and are thoroughly saturated; and passing in rotation in front of the outlets
of the pump or blower, the air or gas is thoroughly impregnated with the fluid and
the temperature affected accordingly, the temperature and quality of the air ejected
being regulated by the temperature and composition of the liquid or fluid used for
saturating the cloths or fringes. Or instead of using the filtering and cooling bed
named in Galland's Specification, I sometimes by preference filter, cool, and cleanse
the air in the following manner :-Inside of the conduits for conveying the air to
the different parts of the buildings I place diaphragms or fibrous material of any
suitable kind, using by preference hemp, canvas, or spun yarn, same being attached
to pipes perforated to allow a stream of water to saturate samme, and by preference
I only saturate each alternate diaphragm, which is so placed that the strands of
the one run horizontally, and the next vertically, and so on; the air from the blast
fan, or pump comes in contact with these diaphragms, and is attemperated in its
passage, the alternate wet and dry diaphragms promoting evaporation, and con-
sequently more rapid cooling of the air, while the air exerts greater force than
when it is passed through the coke filter beds at the commencement of its journey,
the stream of water being controlled by the mechanism that opens the valves
leading to each transverse conduit, so that the water and wind are turned on and
shut off at one and the same time. I also sometimes instead of using the foregoing
arrangements for dispersing the attemperated air, use only one transverse conduit,
which is so arranged that it moves along the floor upon which the grain is laid to
germinate or dry; this conduit is fitted with sharp edged creepers, and is grated or
perforated in the main body rising from the creepers to the centre, so that the
grain is made to pass over while the conduit moves from one end to the other of
the floor, the air being constantly blown through the mass of grain passing over,
whereby the necessary amount of attemperation takes place; and in order that the
grain may be more thoroughly turned over and exposed to the action of the air, I
place a series of revolving shovels or paddles upon a hollow perforated shaft,
through which the air also passes. The shovels or paddles are so arranged and con-
structed that they take up the grain as it passes over the conduit, and by the
action of automatic springs upon the back of the paddles the grain is flung back in
regular rotation while the air is blown through it, and in lieu of this arrangement
I sometimes place a series of tines or forks projecting from the top of the grated
travelling conduit, so arranged as to break up the grain passing over, and ensure
thorough loosening of the mass, and I also attach loose boards or plates to these
forks on top of conduit, for the purpose of gathering the malt or grain to one
end of the room, when the operation is completed, preparatory to discharging a
revolving brush being attached behind to sweep the floors clean. The air is supplied
to this moving conduit in the following manner :-I place a longitudinal conduit or
channel in any convenient position connected to one or both ends to the fan or pump;
on one side of this channel I leave an opening running the whole length; fitted into
this opening is a flexible band of canvas, leather, india rubber, or jointed metallic or
other plates; this band is attached to the transverse conduit at one end (or it may have
another longitudinal conduit at the other end), and this has an opening leading
into it, through which the attemperated air passes; the band fitting into grooves in the
conduit prevents the escape of the air at any other point than through the trans-
verse conduit, which is moved from end to end by ropes or chains mounted on
suitable shafts and arranged automatically to travel backwards and forwards. I
also sometimes place the cooling and filtering apparatus inside the travelling
conduit, and convey the wind to it in the manner before described, the purpose
of supplying cool moist air to the malt or grain laid upon the germinating floors
being accomplished by this method without having to fill the whole air space of the
room, the cold air discharged remaining upon the lower stratas of this room.
also sometimes use the travelling conduit as before described for roasting or drying
grain and other substances instead of the ordinary kiln, using heated air in the
same way as described above; or I fit into the inside of the travelling transverse
I

page_text: conduit a series of gas burners, so arranged as to heat the air used for drying or
roasting, without coming in contact with or contaminating it; and for this purpose
I construct an inner case of sheet iron or other suitable substance, which is fitted
with properly arranged gas burners, and in conjunction with these burners I use
asbestos or other indestructible substance when required. This case is fitted with
suitable outlet and inlet for the supply of air, and to convey the fumes arising from
combustion beyond the reach of the grain or malt operated upon. When it is
required to destroy any malaria, disease, or infection, by which the air is contami-
nated, I use fringes or flaps of iron, or copper, or any other suitable material (using
fire brick when required on a large scale, as for hot blast). These flaps are attached
to chains at each end, passing over drums as described above, and instead of the
flaps passing through liquids they are made to pass through heating media, the
most convenient for ordinary purposes being a gas fire, the flaps being by prefer-
ence perforated metal, or wire gauze, or other open material; each flap or division
passes in rotation through the fire, taking up sufficient heat, and then passing in
front of the air outlets, the air being forced against and through the heated media,
and deprived of all infectious or injurious germs (and the air so heated may be
used for the drying of grain or other purposes, such as roasting or drying malt,
roasting coffee, hot blast for smelting metals, for cooking, baking, evaporation, and
burning of vegetable matters, and similar processes), and if required, cooled down
again by coming in contact with the cooling apparatus described above, the machine
being so arranged that both heating or burning attachment, and the cooling and
purifying attachment can be worked singly or in conjunction, or they may be
removed, and the blowing machine may be used in any other way as may be
required.
I also sometimes use the following arrangements for producing hated air :-On
a series of revolving chains or drums I fit cages of iron or other suitable material.
These cages are filled with coal, coke, or any other material suitable for giving out
beat, and placed in a case having the inlet communicating with the wind course of
my pump or fan, the outlet being conveyed to where the heated air is required. The
cages are so arranged that one or more passes in rotation clear out of the case into
the open air if required, to prevent overheating, and when I apply this arrangement
for the drying or roasting of grain, malt, or other substances, I convey the heated
air under a perforated floor upon which the grain, etc., is laid, and blow up through
(or if preferable I convey the heated air over the top and blow down through),
using by preference the peculiar arrangements of my floor and supports. I also
sometimes by preference operate upon the grain, &c., in the following manner :-
I construct a carrying bed or tramway, upon which I place a series of buckets
or boxes having perforated bottoms. These are so arranged that the grain drops
into or is taken up by them and carried slowly over the conduit through which the
heated air emerges, and is blown up through the grain, passing over it, and so dried
or roasted. I also use the same arrangement for cooling, attemperating, purifying,
or disinfecting.
I also use the above arrangements in conjunction with ordinary blowers or fans
when convenient.
My Invention also consists in the application of the above named process to the
cooling, heating, distilling, and condensing of steam, water, and other liquids, fluids,
or vapours, and for evaporating; and for this purpose I place a cylindrical or other
vessel immediately in front of the flaps above described. The surface of this
vessel is by preference corrugated or chequered in any suitable way, by preference
with alternate depressions and elevations, produced by punching both sides of a
sheet of copper or other suitable material with a round or other shaped punch.
This medium is so arranged that either in a cylindrical, square, or flat form,
the wind from the blower charged with moisture from the cooler impinges with
great force upon the one side of the metal, while on the other side the steam
or liquid to be cooled or condensed passes over in a thin stream. When the
vessel is cylindrical I sometimes attach driving gear to cause it to revolve, and so

page_text: bring every part of its surface in contact with the wind in rotation, there being a
thin annular space inside through which the steam or liquid passes, the alternate
depressions and elevations on both surfaces conducing to the frictional and unequal
action of the cooling power outside, and the cooling or condensation inside. I also
apply the same method of cooling and condensing in the following manner :-
Instead of ejecting wind from my blowing machine upon the jets of water, fringes,
and flaps, I use air compressed and cooled in the ordinary manner (i.e., by cooling
under compression). This compressed air is conveyed in pipes to the back or front
of my fringes or flaps (which are in motion and dipping alternately into the water,
as before described), and is liberated through a series of perforations, and impinges
directly upon the fringes or flaps, imparting a degree of cold proportionate to the
heat extracted under pressure. The blower may be used in conjunction with this,
or not, as required, or the expanded air may be conveyed to any point where cold
is required to be imparted (as in the case of malting) and released at suitable
places. I also apply my blower to the raising and propulsion of grain, flour, or
other like substances, using by preference triangular pipes or conduits of wood or
other material, lined for smoothness with zinc, glass, or other smooth surfaced
material, the suction or forcing power of the blower being used as may be conve-
nient, and the feed and discharge so regulated as to deliver at any given point. The
purposes to which I propose applying the apparatus described are mainly the
application of hot, cold, or attemperated air to malting processes mainly as
described in my Specification of Patent, No. 1398, A.D. 1879, and for the purifi-
cation, disinfecting, and changing air in rooms, hospitals, ships, and like places, and
for the dissemination of air charged with medicated germs in like places, for the
ventilation, cooling, and purifying of ships' holds, cabins, and like places, for
cleansing and purifying clothes, cloth, and other materials, by the combination of
the revolving or travelling chain, and alternate dipping in water and forcible
ejecting of air into and against the cloths or articles attached to the said chain, and
for the ultimate drying and purification of the same, and for the condensation and
distillation of steam, vapours, and gases, the cooling and heating of air and water
in breweries, distilleries, and like places, and for the evaporation of salt and other
like substances, and for the conveying and drying of grain, flour, and like
substances by air or vacuum, the heating of air in the manner described for the
calcining of metals, ores, and other substances, and all other purposes which require
hot, cold, dry, moist, medicated, or disinfected air, vapour, or gas.
I also apply the blower to the exhausting of gas in retorts and other vessels, and
for the cleansing, purifying, and cooling of gas and smoke, and the extraction of
ammoniacal liquors therefrom, and other like purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th April
1880.
HENRY WILSON, Engineer, Stockton on Tees, County Durham.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR BLOWING, EXHAUSTING, COOLING, HEATING, PURIFYING, AND
ATTEMPERATING AIR, GAS, AND FLUIDS."
Drawing No. 1.-A, A, A, triple crank working rods B, B, attached to plungers
C, C, C, working in chambers D, D, D. The air is drawn in at suction I through
cotton wool filters J, J, J, enters the working chambers at valves E, E, E, E, is
compressed, and driven forcibly through outlet valves F, F, F, F, which are
contracted to half the size of inlet valves E, E. Fine jets of water impinge upon
the air as it passes through the narrow outlet and dashes against the cloth flaps
attached to chain G, G, G, which dip into the water trough at bottom and pass
in rotation over the outlets of valves E; the air charged with moisture and deprived
of a portion of heat issues from H and is conveyed where required.
Drawing No. 2.-In this Drawing the cooling apparatus is removed and the
wind is driven direct through a tapering pipe H which contains a revolving fire,
or rather four fires K, K, K, K, that are moved slowly round by gear, each fire
contained in an iron cage coming round in rotation to the blast channel, and
passing into the semi-circular chamber L is thereby prevented from becoming too
hot, as it would be if the wind was constantly passing through it; Fig. 2 shews
another form of heating apparatus, consisting of a series of flaps of wire gauze or
chain attached to a pair of endless chains passing over suitable pulleys or drums E';
a gas blow pipe F' or Bunsen burner impinges upon the links or flaps G, G, and
pass in rotation across the air course H. The air being driven against the heated
media extracts a portion of the heat therefrom, and is conveyed and applied where
required. The chains or flaps may also be arranged to pass through fires instead of
gas burners.
Drawing No. 3.-Fig. 1 shows the perforated plates forming the floors upon
which the substances to be operated upon are laid, as in malting and grain drying,
etc.; Fig. 2 shows the form of bearers upon which the plates rest. The cooled or
heated air is introduced below, and driven up through the perforations in the
plates and the substance resting on the top of them, or the air may be discharged
over the surface and drawn down through if preferred.
Drawing No. 4 shows hopper and feeder adapted for feeding grain or other
substances to be carried by the blast from the blower. The grain is filled into the
double hopper and runs into the chambers G, which by the action of the levers are
alternately opened into the hoppers above and the air-pipe below, the communication
between the air pipe and blower being closed while the grain contained in each
chamber is alternately discharged into the air pipe and carried where required.
Drawing No. 5 is another form of hopper and feeder. The action in this is the
same as above described, the motion being parallel instead of semi-rotary.
Drawing No. 6.-Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 show another form of hopper and feeder,
the motion in this case being rotatory, the grain being filled from the hopper into the
chambers of the revolving drum and carried round. Each chamber passes over the
air pipe affixed to the bottom; the air rushing through this catches the grain and
carries it up the vertical pipe, and is delivered in any required direction. Figs. 5

page_text: and 6 show arrangements for cleaning grain by blowing it against wire gauze or
perforated plates, the dust being carried away and the grain deposited below,
as shown by the arrows.
Drawing No. 7 shows the application of the arrangements for feeding furnaces
with coal. The coal is filled into the hoppers, as shewn, and passing into the
chambers of the drums is carried round, and coming opposite the wind and carrying
tube is ejected into the furnace as shown.
Drawing No. 8 shows another form of fire for heating the air, the fire holder
being formed of a series of concentric rings, through which the air is driven in the
direction shown by the arrows. The air enters the base at A and is spread round
the annular space B, B. It passes through a series of perforations in the inner
shell, and so through the fire, as shown by the arrows.
Having thus fully described the details of my said Invention by reference to the
accompanying Drawings, I will now proceed to give an explanatory statement of
the general character thereof.
The main part of my Invention consists of an improved form of air pump or
blower, constructed by preference of wood or metal in the form of a square or other
shaped box, having two or more spaces or divisions forming three or more
chambers, which chambers are, by preference, lined with glass or other hard
smooth substance.
In each of these spaces or chambers is fitted a plunger or bucket having an
elastic rim round the edge of any suitable material; the inlet or suction valves are
placed on one side, and the outlet or delivery valves are placed on the other; the
buckets or plungers are driven by a compound crank shaft, or series of eccentrics,
and in large sizes four rods are used to each bucket to ensure a "plumb-lift,"
the rods for the lower buckets passing through the upper buckets and divisions.
The arrangement for cooling and purifying the air consists of a series of fine jets
of cold water, which are so placed that they impinge across the outlet orifices, which
are contracted at that part, so as partially to compress the air rushing through
them. Immediately in front of these orifices is placed a series of flags of cloth
stretching across the whole width of the outlets, and attached at each end to an
endless chain passing over suitable pulleys; these flaps are set in motion by suitable
gear, and dipping in rotation into a reservoir of cold water, and passing over the
outlets the air dashes against them on its passage from the pump, and being
partially compressed, is cooled under compression. Any disinfecting agent added
to the water is carried by the air in the form of a very fine mist or spray, the air
And for the
being highly charged with the moisture through which it is driven.
more perfect purification of the air, a series of filters of cotton, wool, or other
suitable material, is placed in the suction passage of the pump, so that the germs of
disease or animalculae are separated from the air before it passes through the pump.
The arrangement for heating the air consists mainly in placing a series of
revolving flaps of wire gauze or chains passing alternately through the flame of a
gas blow pipe, Bunsen burner, or fire, and across the passage of the air as it is
driven by the pump through the exit pipe, or a series of fires so arranged that the
air is driven through them in rotation as they pass across the passage of the
air, which, catching a portion of the heat, is conveyed and applied where required.
The reason that the fires in this arrangement are movable is to prevent the fusing
of the bars, which would occur if the air was blown through one fire continuously.
By an arrangement of auxiliary valves and outlets, the air may be wholly or in
part ejected from the pump without coming in contact with either the heating or
cooling apparatus. The arrangements for elevating, carrying, cleaning, and drying
grain and other substances consist in conveying the air from the outlet of the pump
This drum is made to
to a drum containing two or more chambers or barrels.
revolve, and attached to the upper side of the case in which it revolves is a hopper
or filler, through which the grain or other substance is filled into the chambers.
Each chamber in rotation passes between the the pipe conveying the air from the

page_text: pump and the pipe through which the grain or other substance is to be conveyed to
its destination; the contents of the chamber are caught by the air rushing from the
pump, and carried along the above named pipe in any direction required, either
vertically or horizontally, the direction being controlled by slide or flap valves,
while the grain or other substance is cleaned by being discharged against sieves or
screens, the finer particles being blown in any direction, and the larger deposited
in suitable receptacles. I may here remark that this arrangement could be also
made available for feeding coal into furnaces, the coal being fed into a hopper
containing breakers, and passing into the drum, is discharged through a pipe into
the furnace in a light shower; the air which conveys the coal blows the smoke
arising from the charge down through the bright fire, and thereby consuming the
smoke by means of an auxiliary disc having holes at different points; two or more
furnaces may be fed in regular rotation. Reciprocating or semi-rotary slides may
be used instead of the rotatory drum above described; the use of these being to
prevent the air from blowing the contents of the hopper back.
The arrangement for distributing the heated or cooled air through grain, malt,
or other substances is by means of a series of slotted or perforated plates laid upon
light iron or other bearers, leaving a space between the floor proper and the under-
side of the perforated plates. Divisions of sheet iron or other material are placed
at stated intervals, and the currents of the moist cool air are directed underneath
or over the substance laid upon the plates. This is specially designed for and
applicable to the germinating of malt, while for the drying or roasting of malt or
other substances, dry hot air is directed in the same manner and by the same
means, and if required the suction pipe or channel of the pump may be connected
in such a way as to draw the air away from the substances under treatment.
Coal
The air in halls, rooms, hospitals, ships, &c., is treated in the same manner, this
mode of application varying to suit the special requirements in each case.
mines and coal laden steamers are also cleared of dangerous gases by the same
arrangement; the gas being drawn into the pump and driven out with great force
may be utilized in conjunction with the arrangements described above for conveying
small coal or other substances to the engine fires or pit bank. The arrangements
for cooling liquids and condensing steam, vapour, or gases consist in placing a
diaphragm of thin copper or other suitable material, corrugated, or formed with
alternate projections and hollows on the surface. The cold moist air from the
cooling apparatus is driven with great force against one side of the diaphragm,
while the steam or liquid to be cooled, or condensed, or impinged against the other
side in a thin stream. This diaphragm may be flat or cylindrical, as may be
convenient, and may also be stationary or movable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in practice,
I hereby declare that I clain (substantially as hereinbefore described) the improve-
ments in apparatus for blowing, exhausting, cooling, heating, purifying, moistening,
or attemperating air, gas, or fluids, specially applicable to the germinating of malt,
and other like substances, also to the heating of air for the drying, roasting, and
kilning malt, and other like substances, and hereby I claim (1), the arrangements
of blowing, exhausting, cooling, heating, purifying, and attemperating air, gas, and
fluids in the manner described, and particularly when applied by means of the
peculiar plan and arrangement of plates and bearers shown in Drawings; also
(2) the peculiar form and arrangements of air pump, and especially the lining of
the chainbers with glass for lessening friction, and the application of the cooling
medium in the manner described, viz., by the passing of cloths dipping in liquids
and alternately crossing the outlets, and also for heating, disinfecting, or purifying
as described; likewise (3) I claim said Invention when applied as herein before set
forth to the elevating, carrying, and cleaning of grain, and other substances, and
for ventilating or purifying the air in mines, buildings, ships, and other places, as
described, it being understood that I do not confine myself to the particular

page_text: forms or arrangements shewn in the Drawings, but reserve the right to vary same
to suit the requirements of particular cases.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Wilson, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Third day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty.
Witness,
C. W. ELLIOTT,
Villiers Street,
Stockton-on-Tees.
HENRY WILSON. (L.S.)