Improvements in Blast Elevators for Grain and Granular Substances.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 7th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 26th Apr., 1890
Improvements in Blast Elevators for Grain and Granular
Substances.
.
We, FRANK WILLIAM ALLCHIN, of 7 Western Terrace, Northampton in the
County of Northampton, Engineer, and JAMES WALKER, of Ruchthuck and
Czernovoda both in Bulgaria, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in blast elevators for grain and
granular substances of the character described in patent specification No. 1,123 of
1886, and has for its object a better distribution of blast around the exit of the
annular blast nozzles through which the blast passes into the elevating conduits, and
also better provision for the guidance and passage of the grain or granular substance
into such conduits, and the employment of auxiliary blast nozzles, within or
immediately below the open ends of the conduits, for assisting the suction of the
annular nozzles in drawing up the grain or granular substance; and the invention
comprises also a special combination of guide hopper and central blast nozzle or
group of auxiliary nozzles for facilitating the passage of the grain or granular
substance into the open mouth forming the bottom of an elevating conduit, and
comprises also an arrangement of radiating nozzles for livening or loosening the grain
or granular substance around the hopper and thus facilitating its flow into the hopper,
and an arrangement of air passages through which the air may flow into the body
of the grain or granular substance at points near the entrance to the conduit and
thus facilitate the flow of the grain or granular substance into the mouth of the
conduit..
*.
According to this invention, an annular air chamber is formed around the outer
cone of an annular nozzle, and the compressed air for elevating the grain passes
through a branch into such chamber. Openings are formed in the top of this
chamber for the passage of the air into the space between the outer and inner cones,
from which it passes through the annular throat of the nozzle into the elevating
conduit. The openings from the air chamber into the space between the two cones
are formed larger in proportion to their distance from the inlet branch to the chamber,
so that the blast may be well distributed between the cones and issue through the
throat of the nozzle in an annular stream which is equal in intensity; or approximately
so, at every point around the circle.. The inner cone is screwed as usual into the
outer cone so that the width of the annular opening forming the throat of the nozzle
may be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing the inner nozzle as required, and to
facilitate this adjustment the outer lower edge of the inner cone which projects below
the outer cone has teeth formed thereon, and a pinion which gears therewith is fixed
upon a short vertical spindle which is operated by a hand-wheel. Auxiliary openings
are forined in the side of the conduit in position near to the throat of the nozzle, in
order that grain may be drawn in through such openings in addition to being drawn
up through the inner cone of the nozzle. The apparatus may be pushed down so as
to bring these openings into the bulk of the grain, or the openings inay be surrounded
with a hopper into which the grain is fed. These openings may be fitted with
valves opening inwards to adinit of the passage of the grain; but which will close
back and prevent the escape of blast in case any back flow of the blast should take
place. The bottoin of the inner cone of the nozzle, or the bottom of a downwardly
extending part of such cone, is formed bell-mouthed, and a guide hopper is fixed
thereunder. This guide hopper is formed with an annular channel in its upper
face, of a curved shape in transverse section, into which the bell-mouthed edge of
the cone may be carried for a short distance, but so as to leave rooin between the

page_text: bottom of the channel and the edge of the bell-mouth for the passage of the grain.
Thus the grain in passing into the bell-mouth traverses across the channel which thus
guides the grain in an easy curve from the bulk in which it lies into the bell-mouth
and considerably facilitates its passage. A central blast nozzle passes up through
the centre of the guide hopper so as to assist in drawing up the grain into the bell-
mouth. The guide hopper is conveniently formed with a chamber on its under
side which acts as a blast collecting chamber for the central nozzle, the nozzle in
such case formning part of or being fixed to the hopper. The hopper may be
conveniently formed on its underside to the shape of an inverted umbrella, but with
the apex running down to a point so that it may be readily pushed down into the
bulk of the grain which is being elevated; and a blast nozzle or nozzles may be
forined in the downward apex for the purpose of assisting in forming an opening or
passage into the grain and thus facilitating such downward movement of the hopper.
A number of small nozzles may be used instead of or in combination with one
central one to assist in drawing up the grain into the bell-mouth.
A number of small blast nozzles may project. from the air chamber of the guide
hopper into the grain lying therearound, for the purpose of livening or loosening
the bulk and causing the grain more readily to flow over into the hopper, and
these nozzles point preferably in an upward or upwardly inclined direction.
Air passages inay be formed down the exterior of the outer cone of the annular
blast nozzle which is near to the open mouth of the conduit. These passages extend
to the bottom of the conduit and thus allow streams of air to flow into the bulk
of the grain which assist the grain to flow into the mouth of the conduit.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton and Walsall, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Blast Elevators for Grain and Granular
Substances.
We, FRANK WILLIAM ALLCHIN, of Weston Street (described in the provisional
specification as of 7 Western Terrace), Northampton, in the County of Northampton,
Engineer, and JAMES WALKER, of Ruchthuck and Czernovoda both in Bulgaria,
Engineer, 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 certain improvements in blast elevators for grain and
granular substances of the character described in patent specification No. 1123 of
1886, and has for its object a better distribution of blast around the exit of the
annular blast nozzle through which the blast passes into the elevating conduits, and
also better provision for the guidance and passage of the grain or granular substance
into such conduits; and the invention comprises also a special combination of guide
hopper and central blast nozzle or group of auxiliary nozzles for facilitating the
passage of the grain or granular substance into the open mouth formning the bottom
of an elevating conduit, and comprises also an arrangement of radiating nozzles for
livening or loosening the grain or granular substance around the hopper and thus
facilitating its flow into the hopper, and an arrangement of air passages through
which air may flow into the body of the grain or granular substance at points near
the entrance to the conduit and thus facilitate the flow of the grain or granular
substance into the mouth of the conduit.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood we will proceed to describe
it with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which figure 1 is a vertical
section through the lower portion of a blast conduit up which the grain or granular
substance is elevated, with an annular blast nozzle fitted to the bottom thereof, and
with a guide hopper carried below the bell-mouthed opening formed by the inner

page_text: cone or cup of the nozzle, and with other details which will be described. Figure 2
is a section taken on line xx of figure 1; and figure 3 is a vertical section taken
through one side of the nozzle in position to shew in section one of the external air
passages hereinafter described. An air chamber a is formed around the outer cone
or case A of the nozzle, and the blast passes from such chamber through a number
of holes b into the space, c between the outer cone or case A and the inner cone or
adjustable portion of the nozzle B. The blast which enters at the branch d is thus
well distributed around the space between the cones, and issues through the throat of
the nozzle in a stream which is equal in intensity, or approximately so, at every point
thereof; and if desired, in order to attain the greatest possible degree of perfection
in this respect, the openings b may be larger as their distance increases from the
branch d. The inner cone or adjustable portion B of the nozzle is formed to a very
open bell-mouthed shape, the curve of the bell-mouth being carried rapidly outwards
direct from the top edge of the cone; and the entire depth of the cone is made quite
shallow, as shewn, so that the grain has to be raised a very short distance by suction
(aided, if desired, by an auxiliary blast, as hereinafter described) before it reaches the
main forcing or carrying blast from the nozzle. The depth of this cone should not
exceed, or but slightly so, its smallest diameter. The inner cone. B is shewn as
screwed up within the outer cone in the usual manner, but as its construction involves
its being of a considerable diameter, special means are provided for its adjustment.
For this purpose, a toothed collar or rin e is formed around the outer bottom edge of
the cone B, and into the teeth thereof gears a pinion f fixed on the lower end of a
spindle carried in a bearing h formed with or fixed to the outer cone A. The
spindle g is revolved by a hand wheel i. A worm, carried by a horizontal spindle,
may be used in lieu of the pinion f and spindle g.
Auxiliary openings are formed through the side of the con duit in position near to
the throat of the nozzle, in order that grain may be drawn in therethrough in
addition to being drawn up through the inner cone of the nozzle. For this purpose,
of course, the apparatus must be pushed down so as to bring these openings into the
bulk of the grain. The openings may be opened and closed at pleasure by means of
a sheath or turning shutter k surrounding the lower portion of the conduit, but
provided with openings ¹ corresponding to the openings j. The sheath is fitted
with handles by which it may be turned to bring its own openings into coincidence
with the openings j, or to move the openings out of coincidence and thus close the
openings j. The openings may be fitted with self-acting shutters, one of which, m, is
shewn by figure 4, either in lieu of or in addition to the sheath . These shutters may
be hinged at the bottom, as shewn, with stop hinges which prevent them opening
beyond a determined point. The shutter illustrated is shewn in its open position by
broken lines. The shutters will open inwards and admit grain when a powerful
up current is passing in the conduit, but will close back and prevent the escape of
blast in case of back flow.
A guide-hopper C (figures 1 and 2) formed with an annular channel n, of a curved
shape in transverse section, in its upper face, is carried by brackets or studs o from
the cone B, or may be otherwise carried in position as shewn. Thus the grain
traverses across the channel n on its passage into the bell-mouthed cone, and the
grain is thus guided in an easy curve from the bulk in which it lies into the bell-
inouth and its passage considerably facilitated. A central blast nozzle p (or a
number of sinall nozzles, arranged in a circle) passes up through the guide hopper so
as to assist in blowing up the grain to the level where the blast enters through the
main nozzle. The hopper is conveniently formed, as shewn, with a chamber q on its
under side which acts as a blast-collecting chamber for the nozzle p, the nozzle in
such case forming part of, or being fixed as shewn to, the hopper. The hopper is
also conveniently formed on its underside, as shewn, to the shape of an inverted
umbrella, with the apex running down to a point so that it may be readily pushed
down into the bulk of the grain which is to be elevated, (or it may be otherwise
curved or slanted down towards a point); and a blast nozzler may be formed with
or, fixed, as shown, to the downward apex for the purpose of assisting in forming an

page_text: :
opening or passage into the grain and thus facilitating such downward movement of
the hopper; or a number of sinall nozzles arranged in a circle may be employed in
lieu of such nozzle. A number of small radiating blast nozzles 8 inay project from
the air chamberg of the guide hopper into the grain lying therearound, for the
purpose of livening or loosening the bulk and causing the grain inore readily to
flow over into the hopper, and these nozzles point preferably in an upward or
upwardly-inclined direction.
Air passages t (see figures 2 and 3) may be formed down the exterior of the outer
cone A. These passages extend to the bottom of the nozzle and allow streams of air,
from the atmosphere above the grain, to flow into the bulk of the grain, which assist
the grain to flow into the bell-mouthed cone B. The passages are extended upwards,
so as to be above the level of the grain when the nozzle is pushed down into the bulk
thereof, by means of tubes 1 fixed into the upper ends of the passages t. These air
passages are not necessarily formed with or carried by the outer cone A, as they may
be carried in any convenient manner.
The hopper C is not necessarily formed with an annular channel in its upper
surface, as it may be of any convenient shape, which will guide the grain to the mouth
of the conduit; and it may be dispensed with altogether, as it is not an essential
adjunct, but in such case the central blast nozzle p may still be used, if desired, to
assist in blowing up the grain to the level where the main blast enters the conduit. A
number of small nozzles, arranged in a circle, may be used in lieu of the nozzle p,
if desired.
Figure 5 illustrates in vertical section, and figure 6 in plan, a nozzle in which the
inner cone B' is formed in one piece with or immovably fixed to the outer cone A',
and in which the blast passes from a chamber c', forming the space between the
two cones, through a number of small holes a direct into the conduit. An air
inlet branch d is shewn on each side of the cone A', but one only may be used, if
preferred.
Figure 7 illustrates, in vertical section, a nozzle in which an air chainber c² is
formed with an adjustable cone B2, from which chamber the blast issues through a
number of small tubes a² direct into the conduit. When the nozzle is put together,
as shown, the upper ends of the tubes a² are in position vertically below a portion of
the curved or slanted surface of the outer cone A³, and are curved or slanted off on
the outside so as to correspond with such portion of the curved or slanted surface of
the outer cone, and thus the extent of flow through the tubes inay be regulated by
raising or lowering the cone B2, or the flow may be cut off altogether by bringing
the curved or slanted portions of the tubes against the curved or slanted inner
surface of the cone A* As the blast is brought into the chamber c through a
branch de carried by the adjustable cone B, such cone cannot of course be con-
veniently turned for adjustment. It may be held up by bolts el passing through ears
or flanges on the cones A and B³, respectively, and may be kept from rising by means
of set pins passing through lugs or flanges on the cone A² and pressing upon lugs or
flanges on the cone B2; and these bolts and pins afford also the means of adjustment
or regulation.
Nozzles constructed in the manner shewn by figures 5 and 6, or constructed with
an adjustable nozzle which may be raised or lowered without being turned axially, as
in the nozzle shewn by figure 7,may be made oval,square, or any desired shape on plan.
The inner and outer parts of the blast nozzles are referred to in this specification
as cones." This term, however, is used for convenience and not as meaning that
such parts are strictly conical in shape.
"
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 in respect of blast elevators for grain and granular substances, of
the character referred to, is :-
1. A blast chamber around the outer cone or case of the blast nozzle, from which
the blast issues through a number of small holes into the space between the inner and

page_text: outer cones of the nozzle, substantially as described and shewn, for the purpose
set forth.
2. The inner cone of the blast nozzle formed with a very wide bell-mouth and so
shallow in depth as not to exceed, or but slightly exceed, the smallest diameter of such
cone, substantially as described and shewn by figure 1 of the drawings herewith, for
the purpose set forth.
3. The means, substantially as described, by which the inner cone of the blast
nozzle is turned axially to adjust it within the outer cone, that is to say, by the aid of
toothed gear or equivalent mechanism, as described.
4. Auxiliary openings formed through the side of the elevating conduit a short
distance above the throat of the blast nozzle, substantially as described, for the
purpose set forth.
5. The sheath or turning shutter by which the auxiliary openings into the elevator
conduit may be opened and closed, substantially as described and shewn.
6. Hinged selfacting shutters in combination with the auxiliary openings into
the elevating conduit, substantially as described and shewn, for the purpose set
forth.
7. A guide hopper, formed preferably with an annular channel in its upper face,
suspended or carried below the open mouth of the elevating conduit, in combination
with a central blast nozzle or group of nozzles arranged to blow into the mouth of the
conduit, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.
8. The guide hopper C formed with a blast collecting chamberg.in combination with
the central nozzle p or group of nozzles,substantially as described for the purpose set
forth.
9. A guide hopper, in position immediately below the open mouth of the elevating
conduit, formed on its underside to the shape of an inverted umbrella (or otherwise
slanted or curved down towards a point), substantially as described and shewn, for the
purpose set forth.
10. The nozzle in the downward apex of the guide hopper, substantially as
described and shewn, for the purpose set forth.
11. The radiating blast nozzles s carried in position to deliver streams of b'ast
around the guide hopper for the purpose of livening or loosening the bulk of grain
or granular substance and facilitatingits flow over the edges of the hopper,substantially
as described.
12. The exterior air passages for allowing the flow of air from the atmosphere
above in to the bulk of the grain or granular substance,substantially as described and
shewn, for the purpose set forth.
13. A blast nozzle in which the inner and outer cones are formed in one piece, or
otherwise immovably fixed together, and in which the blast issues through a number
of small holes, from a blast chamber formed between the cones, into the elevating
conduit, substantially as described and shewn.
14. A blast nozzle in which a blast chamber is formed around the inner cone and
from which the blast issues into the elevating conduit through anumber of small tubes
so shaped at their outer ends and arranged in position, in relation to the curved or
slanted surface of the outer cone, that as the inner cone is inoved inwards or outwards
the streams of blast are regulated in their intensity, substantially as described and
shewn.
15. A blast nozzle substantially as shown by figures 1, 2 and 3, whether in com-
bination with the exterior air passages t t¹, central nozzle p o- group of nozzles, and
guide hopper C, or with either the exterior passages, or the central nozzle or group
of nozzles, or the combination of such central nozzle or group of nozzles with the
guide hopper C, or not.
16. Blast nozzles, substantially as shewn by figures 5; 6 and 7.