IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING, REMOVING. CONSUMING, AND CONDENSING SMOKE AND NOXIOUS VAPOURS. AND IN APPARATUS FOR THOSE PURPOSES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John William Clare, of White Street, in the Parish
of Saint George the Martyr, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING, REMOVING. CONSUMING, AND CONDENSING
SMOKE AND NOXIOUS VAPOURS. AND IN APPARATUS FOR THOSE PURPOSES."
Sealed the 19th May 1857, and dated the 21st November 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Clare at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, un
the 21st November 1856.
J, JOHN WILLIAM CLARE, of White Street, in the Parish of Saint George the
Martyr, in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING, REMOVING CONSUMING, AND CON-
DENSING SMOKE AND NOXIOUS VAPOURS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THOSE PURPOSES," to
be as follows:-
I constructa pair of pumps placed vertically, and working alternately which
I apply for drawing the air and smoke from fires and furnaces. The valves
of the pumps are so arranged, that the soot which may coudense upon them is
shaken off by the action of the valves themselves. The vertical position of the
cylinders of the pumps, and the motion of the pistons in them keep them free
from sont, or the pump or pumps may be placed horizontally, in which case
the exit passages are to be so placed that the soot may fall out of them. Or
in lieu of pumps, I employ a rotary fan. The fan case or the pumps stand in a
[Pric Sd.]

page_text: cistern of water, by which they are prevented from becoming injuriously heated,
and a supply of hot water is thus obtained, which may be used for supplying a
steam boiler, or for other purposes. The pumps or fan may be made of
galvanized iron or other suitable material, and they are driven by a weightand
clockwork, or by a steam engine or any other source of power. The smoke
or products of combustion are either blown out into the atmosphere or into a
chimney, or into a vessel of water where the smoke is condensed, or into or
by the fire, and then up another flue or to any required place. The apparatus,
however, gives such a command of the draught of the furunce, that the com-
bustion is rendered more perfect, and the smoke is partially or wholly
consumed in the furnace and flues. The excellence of the draught when
applied to a steam boiler furnace, allows of the flues being made much longer
and carried round the boiler several times, thus completing consuming the
smoke, and increasing the effect of the fuel. In condensing or consuming the
noxious vapours given off in factories and other buildings, I draw away the
vapours from such places by means of the pumps or fun, and 1 force them
through water or through heated pipes, or into a furnace.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent. filed
by the said John William Clare in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st May 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOPN
WILLIAM CLARE, of White Street, in the Parish of Saint George the Martyr,
in the County of Surrey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters
Patent,bearing date the Twenty-first day of November,in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her reign
did, for lerself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John William Clare, Her special licence that. I, the said John William Clare
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
William Clare, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully.nightmake, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING
REMOVING, CONSUMING, AND CONDENSING SMOKE AND NOXIOUS VAPOURS, AND IN
APPARATUS FOR THOSE PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the

page_text: said John William Clare, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John William Clare, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing, and to
the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say :-
I constructa pair of pumps placed vertically, and working alternately, which
I apply for drawing the air and smoke from fires and furnaces. The valves of
the pumps are so arranged that the soot which may condense upon them is
shaken off by the action of the valves themselves. The vertical position of the
cylinders of the pumps, and the motion of the pistons in them keeps them
free from soot; or, the pump or pumps may be placed horizontally, in which
case the exit passages are to be so placed that the soot may fall out of them;
or, in lieu of pumps, 1 employ a rotary fan. The fan case or the pumps
stand in a cistern of water, by which they are prevented from becoming
injuriously heated, and a supply of clean hot water is thus obtained, which
may be used for supplying a steam boiler, or for other purposes. The pumps
or fan may be made of galvanized iron or other similar material, and they are
driven by a weight and clockwork, or by a steam engine, or any other source
of power. The smoke or products of combustion are either blown out into
the atmosphere or into a chimney, or into a vessel of water, where the smoke
is condensed, or to any required place. The apparatus, however, gives such a
command of the draught of the furnace, that the combustion is rendered more
perfect, and the smoke is partially or wholly consumed in the furnace and flues.
The excellence of thedraught when applied toa steam boiler furnace allows of
the flues being made much longer, and carried round the boiler several times,
thus completely consuming the smoke and increasing the effect of the fuel. In
condensing or consuming the noxious vapours given off in factories and other
buildings I draw away the vapours from such places by means of the pumps or
fan, and I force them through water or through heated pipes, orinto a furnace.
Figure 1 is a vertical section, and Figure 2 is a plan of a pair of pumps and
apparatus constructed according to my Invention. The same letters refer to
similar parts in each Figure. A, A, are the cylinders or barrels of the pumps;
B, B, are the pistons; C, C, are the piston rods working through guides D, D,

page_text: and connected by slings or forked connecting rods E, E, to the two opposite
cranks F, F, on the shaft or spindle G; H is a pulley on the shaft G, which
is driven by a strap from a steam engine, or any source of power. Each
cylinder A stands on a box I connected to an inlet pipe J and an outlet K,
provided with valves Land M. Both outlets communicate with one box N,
from which a pipe O ascends into a vessel P,and is covered by a bell-shaped
vessel Q; R and S are two diaphragms of wire gauze or perforated plates
fixed between the bell Q and the outer vessel P; T is a plate with larger
perforations fixed in the upper part of the vessel P, which is covered over and
provided with an outlet pipe or chimney U. The cylinders A,A,and boxes I,I,
aro placed in a cistern V, which is filled with water. The vessel P is about
half filled with water. As the water evaporates or is drawn off more water is
added, or the water is continually supplied by a ball-cock, or otherwise.
The inlet pipes J, J, of this apparatus are connected to the flue of the
furnace of a steam boiler or other furnace, and the shaft G is caused to
revolve. The gases or products of combustion are drawn through the valves L
by the alternate ascent of the pistons B, B, and are then forced out through
the valves M into the box N, and up the pipe O. They then descend between
the pipe O and bell Q, from the bottom of which they escape into the water,
and ascend through the wire gauze diaphragms, which divide them into a
multitude of fine streams or bubbles. Any soot contained in the gasesisthus
washed out or condensed by the water. and tho purified gases then pass away
by the outlet pipe or chimney U. The plate T prevents the water from
splashing up against the top of the vessel.
The pistons are packed by metallic packing, consisting of one or more rings
divided at one part. As the pistons descend, they push down any particles of
soot which may condense in the cylinders. This sont falls into the soot boxes
I, I. The valves L. and M are placed perpendicularly or nearly so, and as
they drop against their seats the soot falls off them. The soot from the valve L
falls down the pipe J, or into the box I, while that from the valve M falls into
the box I or into the outlet K,from which it is removed from time to time by a
rake introduced at a door W in the box N. The water in the cistern V prevents
the pumps from being injured or destroyed by the heat. The pumps may be
employed to force the products of combustion through water, as herein-before
described, or they may force them directly into a chimney or into the atmo-
sphere. The apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 is shewn with two pumps,
but three or more pumps may be used in a similar manner. The draught or
velocity of the current of air may thus be rendered vory regular.
In lieu of employing reciprocating pumps surrounded with water, I some-

page_text: times employ a fan or centrifugai pump surrounded with water, as shewn in
tran verse section in Figure 3, and in longitudinal section in Figure 4.
A, A, is the fan case; B, B, are the blades of the fan mounted on the spindle
or shaft G, which is driven by a strap on the pulley H; J, J', are the inlet
pipes, and K is the outlet. The pipes and fan and fan case are enclosed in a
cistern V, which is filled with water. T'wo modes of constructing the inlet
pipes are shewn, either of which may be employed. The inlet pipe J is
traversed by a pipe a, through which passes the spindle G. A portion of this
pipe is surrounded by the water in the cistern V, and is thus kept cool.
When the fan is at work, a current of air is drawn in between the pipe a and
the spindle G, which is thus prevented from becoming overheated at the
journal which runs in the bearing. The spindle G may also be made hollow,
and pierced with holes at the part which is within the case A. A current of air
will then be drawn through the spindle. The portion of tube a which
traverses the inlet pipeJ, serves to shield the spindle G from the direct action
of the heat. It may be prolonged within the fan case, as shewn by the dotted
jines, and it may itself be protected from the heat by a fire clay tube or casing,
or by a loose iron tube or casing if required.
The inlet pipe J¹ is constructed in a similar manner, excepting that the
whole of the pipe a is surrounded with water. Either of these arrangements
may be used, or the spindle G may pass through a stuffing box in the side of
the cistern V,and another stuffing box in the side of the pipe J orJ', in which
case the spindle itself will be in contact with the water.
The inlet pipes J, J, are connected to the flue of a furnace, from which the
products of combustion are drawn out by the fan and driven into a chimney
or through water, as in the apparatus first herein-before described.
When these pumps or fans are applied to the furnaces or flues of steam
boilers, they pro iuce such a powerful exhaustion or draught, that the products
of combustion may be drawn through a great length of flues or tubes, and
thus the heat may be nearly all extracted from them, and the combustion may
be completed or nearly so before they reach the pumps or fan. In some cases,
therefore, the apparatus for condensing the soot by passing the products
through water may be omitted.
I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed to employ pumps or fans
for drawing or exhausting the products of combustion from furnaces, bat in
such cases they were not protected from the action of the heat by being
surrounded with water, as herein-before described, and were, therefore, liable
to injury from the action of the heat. I am also aware that it has been pro-
posed to force the products of combustion through water, but with very little

page_text: or no effect, because the products of combustion were not subdivided into
snall streams or bubbles as herein-before described.
Figure 5 is an elevation, and Figure 6 is a vertical section of a set of pumps
adapted for ventilating purposes The pumps are very similar to those shown
in Figures 1 and 2, and they are driven by connecting rods E, E, E, connected
to cranks F, F, F, arranged at equal angles on the same shaft or line of
shafts G. Two or more pumps are employed. The Drawing shews three
pumps, and in this case the cranks are set at angles of one hundred and
twenty degrees with each other. A, A, A, are the cylinders; B, in Figure 6,
is one of the pistons; C, C, C. are the piston rods; D, D, D, are the guides.
The shaft G carries a pinion d, which is driven by a train of wheels and
pinions from a barrel e, on which is wound a chain or rope which passes over
a pulley in any convenient position, and is attached to a weight. The wheel
on the spindle of the barrel o is driven by a ratchet, so as to allow of the
weight being wound up like that of a clock. The inlet J of each pump is
connected with the islet main J. The outlet K of each pump is connected
with the outlet main K. The valves L, M, are made as light as possible, and
the pistons are also made light, and they may be packed with leather, or
merely made to fit the cylinders without any packing. When the weight is
wound up and the apparatus set in motion, it pumps out a continuous stream
of air from the inlet main J, and drives it out through the outlet main K¹.
When the air is charged with noxious vapours, it is conducted from the outlet
main K' through water, as in the apparatus first herein-before described, or
into a furnace, or through pipes or retorts heated by a furnace, or through
vessels containing lime or lime water, or other purifying or condensing
material, according to the nature of the vapours or gases to be condensed or
purified. The noxious vapours given off by crowded assemblies of persons in
theatres and other buildings, and in hospitals, may thus be removed and con-
sumed or condensed. In a similar manner, sewers and buildings in which
noxious vapours are given off from chemical or other operations may be
ventilated, and the vapours rendered harmless, or prevented from escaping into
the atmosphere.
In some cases it is merely requisite to remove the noxious vapours from the
building or place in which they are contained, and drive them out into the
atmosphero. I then employ a set of two or more vertical pumps connected to
cranks placed at equal angles to each other on the same shaft, and driven byn
train of wheels and a weight or spring, as herein-before described in reference
to Figures5 and 6, ordriven as herein-after described in reference to Figure 7.
Figure 7 is a perspective view, shewing a method of driving the machines

page_text: by a weight or by power at pleasure. A is a pulley on one of the spindles of
a train of wheels, similar to that shewn in Figures 5 and 6; B is a pulley.
whose spindle carries another pulley C, which may be driven by a band from a
steam engine or other source of power; Dis a pulley to which is suspended
the large weight E; F is another pulley carrying a small weight G, which is
employed for keeping tight the endless chain or cord H which passes over the
pulley A, under the pulley D, over the pulley B, and under the pulley F
returning to the pulley A; I, I, are two fixed stops. The framing of the
apparatus is omitted, in order to show the acting parts more clearly.
If the pulley A is allowed to move while B remains stationary, the weight E
will descend and will drive the machinery connected with A, and will at the same
time raise the small weight G. If the pulley B be now caused to revolve in
the contrary direction to A, and at a somewhat greater velocity, it will wind
up the chain or cord H faster than it is given out by the pulley A. The
weight will thus be raised until it comes in contact with the fixed stops I, I,
and the pulley A will then be compelled to revolve at the same rate as B.
A ratchet is provided to prevent the pulley B from revolving in the wrong
direction when it is no longer being driven. In this way a set of pumps or a
fan connected to a steam boiler furnace may be driven during the day by the
steam engine, and may be left at night with the weight wound up. The
weight will then serve to drive the pumps or fan the next morning until the
fire has burned up and steam is raised in the boiler, and the pumps may then
be again driven by the steam engine.
All the pumps or fans herein-before described may be driven in a similar
manner by a train of wheels and pinions and a weight or a powerful spring or
springs, or sometimes by the weight, and sometimes by power, as last herein-
before described. Pulleys and bands or friction wheels may be substituted for
the wheels and pinions if preferred. An escapenient and balance or pendulum,
or a governor acting on a brake and brake wheel may be employed when
required for regulating the speed of the machines.
Having now described the nature of the Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood, that I do not claim
generally the application of pumps or fans for removing or condensing smoke
and noxious vapours; but what I claim is,-
First, removing and condensing smoke by exhausting or drawing the pro-
ducts of combustion from the fire or furnace, or other place in which they are
contained, by pumps or fans, and forcing them into water through wire gauze
or perforated plates, or other equivalent means of dividing them into a
multitude of streams or bubbles, as herein-before described.

page_text: Second, preventing, removing, and consuming smoke by increasing and
Tegulating the draught of furnaces by means of a fan or pumps surrounded by
water, as herein-before described.
Third, constructing fans surrounded with water ensings, and adapted for
removing smoke and products of combustion from furnaces, as herein-before
described.
Fourth, constructing pumps surrounded with water casings, and having their
cylinders or barrels and their valves in a vertical or nearly vertical position,
and so arranged that any soot which may condense upon the cylinders or
valves may fall off into suitable receptacles, as herein-before described. Also
constructing such pumps in combination with apparatus for passing the pro-
ducts of combustion into water through wire gauze or perforated plates, or
other equivalent means of dividing them into a multitude of streams or bubbles,
as herein-before described.
Fifth, preventing, removing, consuming, or condensing noxious vapours by
exhausting or drawing them from the buildings or places in which they are
liberated or contained, and forcing them through water, or through heated
pipes, or into a furnace by means of pumps, as herein-before described.
Sixth, constructing a set of two or more pumps with their cylinders or
barrels and their valves in a vertical or nearly vertical position, and driven by
cranks placed at equal angles to each other on the suine shaft or line of shafts,
which is connected with and driven by a train of wheels and a weight or
spring, as herein-beforu described in reference to Figures 5 and 6,or driven as
herein-before described in reference to Figure 7.
In witness whereof, I, the said John William Clare, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
JOHN WILLIAM CLARE. (L.B.)
Witness,
CHARLES COWPER,
20, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, London.