New or Improved Means for Laying Dust in Coal Mines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 4th July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 4th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 18th May, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Means for Laying Dust in Coal Mines.
I, ARTHUR Ross of Agecroft House, Pendlebury, near Manchester, Colliery
Manager, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
It is a well accepted theory that many colliery explosions are attributable to
coal dust or coal brieze which flying about the mine is highly inflammable and soon
ignites if brought in contact with an oil or gas flame.
Now my invention has for its object to provide means for preventing the coal
dust flying about and to keep such coal dust in a moistened or non-inflammable
condition and thus lessen the risks or chances of an explosion, and my invention
consists essentially in the use and employment of a water wagon, comprising a
cylindrical wrought iron water tank or barrel of such capacity as may be suitable
to the mine wherein used, and mounted on a small truck or trolley under-frame
fitted with wheels.
Within the tank are three or more pipes extending radially outwards from the
centre of the tank with a main pipe extending to the bottom of tank and fitted
with a valve if necessary.
Outside the tank is a series of perforated pipes forming jets, each, by preference
independent of the others and communicating with the three radiating pipes afore-
said in the tank. At one or both ends of the tank a door or man-hole is formed
provided with a tightly fitting door or cover and in said door or cover water and
air inlets are formed.
In using the improved water wagon the tank is filled to about two-thirds of its
capacity and then air or other fluid is pumped into the vacant space until sufficient
pressure is put upon the water that will suffice for forcing all the water out of the
tank to the height or distance required.
While the pumping operation is going on, the water inlet is closed and the three
pipes which distribute the water to the outside jets are also closed. By taking
the wagon to that part of the mine where the coal is being worked and coal dust
is flying about or is deposited on the roof and sides and turning on the taps which
control the several outlets the water will issue in a fine spray and thus serve to
moisten and lay the coal dust. By providing each outlet pipe with a separate tap
or cock any one of the pipes may be turned on or off at will independently of the
others.
This improved water wagon may serve as a fire engine and may be fitted with
hose piping to more effectually direct the water.
A pressure gauge is fitted to the tank to indicate the pressure within. The
pumping in of the air may be effected either by a pump, by a column of water,
by admitting the water under pressure or by means of air compressers commonly
used in mines.
Dated this 3rd day of July 1894.
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.

page_text: New or Improved Means for Laying Dust in Coal Mines.
I, ARTHUR Ross, of Agecroft House, Pendlebury, near Manchester, Colliery
Manager, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
It is a well accepted theory that many colliery explosions are attributable to
coal dust or coal "brieze" which flying about the mine is highly inflammable and
soon ignites if brought in contact with an oil or gas flame..
Now my invention has for its object to provide means for preventing the coal
dust flying about, and to keep such coal dust in a moistened or non-inflammable
condition, and thus lessen the risks or chances of an explosion, and consists
essentially of a water wagon or engine comprising a tank or drum mounted on
wheels and capable of carrying a supply of water under pressure for distribution
in spray form upon the said dust or "brieze."
And in order that my said invention shall be the more readily understood and
carried into practical effect I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings and will
now proceed to describe the same with the assistance of the various figures and
letters of reference marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation (partly in section) and Fig. 2 an end or rear view
(drawn to about 3 scale) of my improved water engine.
In accordance with my invention (A) is the tank or drum, made, by preference
of wrought iron with closed rivetted ends as illustrated, and for the purpose of
being portable and capable of being readily moved from place to place mounted on
wheels (B) to run on rails (C).
By preference through the top of the tank I introduce the water inlet pipe (D)
with suitable screwed nozzle (E) to connect the union of the supply pipe thereto
and to receive the screwed cap (F) when the tank is full, or in use. Within the
tank are three or more pipes (G), (G¹), (G2) radiating from a three-way tap or
valve (H).and connected respectively to perforated pipes (I), (J) and (K) outside
the tank. The valve (H) is also connected with a U shaped pipe (L) terminating
in a valve seating and connected with a strainer or cover (M).
In preparing the improved water wagon for use the tank is first filled to about
two thirds of its capacity. The valve (H) is then caused to close all communication
with the pipes (I), (J) and (K). Air is then pumped into the tank by the air
pump (N) and handle (O) (or their equivalent) until sufficient pressure is put upon
the water that will suffice for forcing all the water out of the tank to the height or
distance required, which may be conveniently ascertained and indicated by the
pressure gauge (P).
In using the wagon it is taken to the part of the mine requiring to be treated
and arranged with the one or other of the perforated pipes or jets (1), (J) and (K)
to face such parts. The tap (H) is then turned on, admitting the water in the
tank to escape say through the pipes (G) and (G¹) and finally through the holes
or perforations of the pipes (1) and (J) in fine sprays or minute streams which
settle onto or bring down the coal dust and keep it in a damp or humid state and
therefore more or less non-inflammable.
In lieu of pumping in the air by the hand pump (N) I may utilise the head or
column of water which is usually in the pipe or pipes used for draining the mine,
and thus both fill the tank and obtain the pressure at one and the same time, or by
one operation.
As the water is used it will be obvious that the pressure will decrease and it is
therefore desirable to provide means of compensating for such decrease, or of
maintaining the pressure as far as possible until the tank is fully drained.

page_text: To do this I employ an air pump, fixed underneath the tank and operated by an
eccentric or crank on one of the wheel axles of the wagon (see Fig. 1). This
pump by the revolving action of the wheel axle, or the motion of the wagon,
pumps air into the tank, and thus as the water escapes maintains or helps to
imaintain the pressure.
Where this latter is adopted and the pressure is obtained
by the column of water, the pump (N) may be dispensed with.
To further ensure of a sufficient pressure being maintained in the tank to eject
the water when the tank is almost drained, I provide the outlet pipe (L) with a
valve (Q) enclosed within the strainer (M), and I so arrange the pressure that
when the water sinks below the level of the valve seating, said valve will
automatically close the passage and so prevent the escape of the compressed air.
On refilling the tank there will always be a surplus pressure to start with which
will always ensure of the complete draining of the tank below the valve.
Such pressure may be 15lbs. or 80 over and above the atmospheric pressure,
and thus if the pressure of the column falls short of the pressure required to eject
water to the required extent before it sinks to the level of the valve (Q) the
reserve pressure aforesaid will make up for such deficiency and effect the proper
ejection.
The several outlet pipes (G) (G³) & (G³) may be provided with separate taps
or cocks. To facilitate the fixing of the parts the tank end is provided with a
man hole and air tight cover (R).
When it is desired to entirely drain the tank, or to distribute water under the
tank, a perforated pipe (S) is used controlled by cock or valve (T).
The improved water wagon may serve as a fire engine, and may be supplied with
hose piping for more effectually directing the water.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details, relative proportions and
dimensions of my improved water wagon, and that what 1 claim and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is :-
1st. A tank or vessel, mounted on wheels and containing water under pressure,
with means for distributing such water substantially as and for the purposes
described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
2nd. The water wagon or engine aforesaid, comprising a tank (A) with water
inlet pipe (D), pipes (G), (G¹), (G'), (I), (J), (K), (L) and (S), valves (H), (Q)
and (T), pressure gauge (P), and with or without pump (N), substantially as and
for the purposes described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
3rd. In the water wagon or engine aforesaid, maintaining or supplementing the
pressure by the motion of the wheel axle as set forth and illustrated.
Dated this 3rd day of A nril 1895
Dated this 3rd day of April 1895
ARTHUR ROSS,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.