Improvements in and relating to the Method of and Machinery for Operating the Pressing Plunger for Brick Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1893—Accepted, 19th Aug., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Method of and Machinery for
Operating the Pressing Plunger for Brick Machines.
I, JAMES CALDWELL ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States of America,
of 1015 Rookery Building, in the City of Chicago, County of Cook and State of
Illinois, one of the United States of America, Manufacturer, 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: —
My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in the method of
and machinery for operating the pressing plunger for brick machines.
In the manufacture of bricks there are three processes now technically known as
the "wet" process, the "semi-dry" process and the "dry" process. The former
two involve the use of clay saturated with water to a plastic and semi-plastic state,
and the latter the use of clay in a dry or practically dry powdered condition. The
latter process involving, as it does, the absence of moisture in the clay encounters a
difficulty which is inherent in such a body, namely, the clay being porous absorbs
within the pores, from which the moisture has been expelled, a certain amount of
atmospheric air, and this action is necessarily increased when the clay is reduced to
a finely comminuted condition, for air is also present within the interstices of the
particles; so that great intensity of pressure is required to fix the bond of union
between the dry clay particles in the last part of the operation in pressing such
brick into proper form and density, and this difficulty is inade apparent when it is
understood that one of the opposite plungers must be advanced in this machine, a
distance of ten inches to clear the charging boxes, and to compact the loose clay
powder to that degree of density requiring the intensity of pressure above referred
to, and that in exerting this final pressure, this plunger need not be advanced more
than one-fourth of an inch, also that the other opposing plunger need only be
advanced a like distance with great intensity for pressing the brick and eliminating
the air therefrom, after which this plunger is advanced through the longer distance,
requiring comparatively a slight power to discharge the bricks from the molds, it
being a well known fact that all mechanical motions exert power relatively in pro-
portion to their speed and travel. Great difficulty has therefore been found in
manufacturing bricks by the dry process; for this reason, and also because the air
being of such an elastic nature is compressed and confined within the body of the
molded brick during the approach of the plungers, and, as a consequence of such
condition, when the plungers are released and the molded brick are forced out of the
mold, the compressed air within the brick, acting under its expansive property, seeks
escape, and in doing so fractures or cracks the brick.
Many efforts have been made in the art of brick making to overcome these
difficulties, and more or less success has been attained in the construction of machines
operated by steam through a train of gears, cams, and toggles for exerting the
requisite pressure to mold the brick. The latter point has been fully overcome,
practically, as described in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 276,549,
granted to me on the 1st day of May, 1883, in a machine of this type, which
involves the principle of a pulsatory movement of the plungers, whereby the clay is
partially compressed, the plungers receding slightly to allow the escape of com-
pressed air, and then again brought into action for final and complete compression
of the clay. In such mechanical motion, the power is limited as above indicated by
the length of stroke or travel of the plungers, and the machine is accordingly
limited both in speed and power, so that it has been impracticable to properly
press more than two bricks at a time during each throw of the plungers. I am

page_text: Worel, at any one was succeeded in Tucing such puisatory mOCIOL
either by hydraulic pressure or by the combined action of compressed air and a
liquid.
By my present invention I am enabled not only to operate the longer and less
powerful movements of the respective plungers quickly, and the requisite short
movements slowly and powerfully, but I am also enabled to mold ten to twelve
bricks at a time, or correspondingly large blocks and slabs without approaching
unwieldy proportions in the machine; moreover, it is highly desirable to provide a
machine that will mold bricks on their face edge, or to mold large slabs, and blocks
thicker than a brick. The present example of machine as exhibited by the drawings
shows six bricks being molded on their edges; such a machine would have been
heretofore impracticable by any of the known methods for properly molding dry
clay bricks.
The object of my present invention is a method and a machine by which the
disadvantages above-named may be overcome, and a comparatively small amount of
initial power may be utilized to do the work more rapidly and successfully, than it
has heretofore been done; and with these ends in view, my invention consists in the
method hereinafter described of utilizing a constantly existing initial power of
compressed air or steam to first act directly upon the mechanical devices employed
to produce by their long and quick travel, the first part of the formation and com-
pression of the clay within the mold, then to produce the pulsatory and final
compression by said mechanical devices, by transmitting the force of the initial
power thereto through hydraulic mechanism interposed between the initial power
and the molding devices, and, finally, again utilizing the initial power direct to lift
the molded and compressed brick out of the molds.
My invention also consists of the construction, combination, and arrangement of
the several devices necessarily employ ed to carry out the method, all as will be more
fully and in detail described and specifically claimed hereinafter.
In order that those skilled in the art of molding brick may fully understand my
improved method, and may learn how to make and use my improved machinery, I
will proceed to describe the same, referring by letters to the accompanying
drawings, in which—
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my improvements and
adapted to carry out the method.
Figure 2 is a central vertical section taken at line x-x of Figure 3.
Figure 3 is a side elevation.
Figure 4 is a transverse or cross section taken at the line y-y, Figure 1, and
Figure 5 is a detail sectional view showing construction of the three-way valves
employed throughout the machine.
Figure 6 is a central vertical section at right angles to that shown at Figure 2.
Similar letters of reference denote like parts in the several figures of the
drawing.
A is the frame within which the molds B are secured in position in the usual or
any suitable manner. The frame A is located between the head plate C and bed
plate C, each end of the said frame embracing a short cylinder D, D', and being
secured thereto by suitable bolts a, a, (see Figure 3). Above the cylinder D aud
mounted thereon is what I denominate an hydraulic cylinder E, and below the
cylinder D is located another hydraulic cylinder E', similar to the one above.
Each of said cylinders is formed with annular shoulders to fit within the cylinders D
and D' respectively, and cylindrical extensions on the head plate C and bed plate C¹
The head plate C is formed with a hollow cylindrical extension fitting over the
shoulder of the upper hydraulic cylinder E, and with a horizontal partition G
through which passes the stem b attached to a piston head H which moves in the
box which is closed by a plate I, secured in position by bolts c. The bed plate C'
is formed with an upwardly extending hollow cylinder F' fitting over the annular
shoulder on the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder E¹, forming a box for a piston
head H having a stem 6' passing through the otherwise closed base of cylinder E',

page_text: and the cylinders D and D' are each provided with closing heads J J', and stuffing
boxes K K. The several cylinders and heads are all secured permanently together
by bolts d (see Figures 1 and 3).
The head plate, bed plate, frame A and intermediate cylinders are all braced
and secured in position against strain by strong pillars or rods L and screw nuts L'
in an obvious manner.
M is the upper die head provided with a series of dies adapted to enter the
molds B, and M' is the lower die head similarly constructed-each die head is
connected respectively to a plunger, N, N¹, provided with piston heads O and O'
respectively, working within the cylinders D and D'.
The upper plunger N extends through the piston head O and into the water
space in the hydraulic cylinder E, and the lower plunger N' extends through the
piston head O¹ and into the water space in the lower hydraulic cylinder E', and
each plunger is preferably provided at its end which enters the water cylinder, with
a metal spring ring or bushing, as clearly shown in Figure 2.
P is the filling box which is caused to reciprocate over the molds, and P¹ is the
clay feeding chute. The filling box is reciprocated by the piston Q working in
the air cylinder Q', and R is the table onto which the molded bricks are delivered
by the reciprocating filling box, and from which they are delivered in any ordinary
manner to a travelling table or belt.
S, S' are two rotatory shafts secured in suitable boxes T, to the head plate C and
bed plate C and they are each provided with a series of cam wheels. These
shafts S, S', near their lower ends have keyed thereto crown gears U, meshing
with similar gears V on the ends of a horizontal shaft W, mounted upon the bed
plate in boxes W' and provided with a band pulley X, which is connected by a
band X1 (see Figure 3) to any suitable power.
e is a compressed air pipe connected in any suitable manner with any suitable
supply or pump, and e' is another pipe through which the exhaust is effected.
From the compressed air pipe e extends conducting pipes f, f, leading into the
upper cylinder D at points respectively above and below the path of travel of the
upper piston head O, and thence to the exhaust tube e¹.
Located at the points of juncture between the conduit pipes f and f' each side of
the cylinder O and adjacent to the supply and exhaust pipes e, e¹, are arranged
three-way valves or cocks g, g', (the construction of which is clearly shown at
Figure 5) the stems of said valves being connected respectively to levers h and h¹
provided with short arms extending into cam grooves land in the cam wheels m, m³,
on the rotating shafts S S¹.
n and n' are conduit pipes similar to the pipes f, f¹ and connected in the same
manner to the lower cylinder O' and communicating with the supply and exhaust
pipe e and el, and provided with similar three-way valves or cocks 93, 93, operated
by levers, h³, the outer ends of which are located within cam grooves (13 in the
cam wheels m² m².
This construction and arrangement permits of the introduction of compressed air
alternately above and below the piston heads and O' and the corresponding
exhaust, in order that said piston heads may be properly reciprocated, the upper
one for partially compressing the clay and the latter for lifting the brick out of the
molds.
oo', and ppl are two sets of conduit pipes connected with the supply and exhaust
pipes e and e and with the upper and lower cylindrical extensions F, F¹ on the
head plate C and base plate C¹, and they are similarly provided with three-way
valves 9, 9 and 9, 3, and operating levers r, r', 73, 78, operated by cam
wheels t, t, t, t, in order that the compressed air may be conducted alternately
above and below the piston heads H and H' to reciprocate the same with their
respective stems & b¹.
u, u, are cam wheels provided with cam grooves v, v operating levers w, 201
and two-way valves & in conduit and exhaust pipes leading into the two heads
of the cylinder Q¹ and connected with the main supply and exhaust pipes ee',

page_text: so that the piston Q connected with the filling box P may be properly recipro-
cated over the molds and the table R.
When the machine is properly connected in all its parts and ready to operate,
a supply of water or other suitable liquid is placed in the upper hydraulic
cylinder E above the end of the plunger N as represented by broken lines at
Figure 2, and this is accomplished through the medium of a suitable filling
tube communicating with the upper end of the cylinder and provided with a
closing cap. The lower hydraulic cylinder is likewise furnished with a suitable
supply of water below the end of the plunger N¹.
The space below the horizontal portion G of the upper extension of the
head plate is provided to receive the water supply in the upper hydraulic
cylinder E when it is expelled by the upward movement of the upper plunger N,
as will be more fully understood when the operation of the machine is
described.
Having described the construction of my improved brick molding machine, I
will now describe the operation of the same, and while it may be understood
by reference to all the figures of the drawings, it will be best understood by
referring more particularly to Figure 2.
Figure 1 shows the several parts of the machine in position to begin operations,
the bottom plunger being down on its resting point to receive the thrust of the
top plunger. The shaft W being rotated, and with it the vertical shafts S, S',
the filling box P is caused to reciprocate over the molds, dumping therein the
charge of clay received from the charging chute P', and is then returned to
its normal position under said chute P This movement is accomplished by
alternately admitting and exhausting the compressed air supply at opposite
sides of the piston head within the cylinder Q. The parts of the machine are
so timed by the construction and relation of the several cam wheels, supply
and exhaust pipes, three-way valves and valve operating levers, that as soon as
the filling box P has gotten out of the way, the valves g and g' are opened,
the compressed air passing through the conduit pipe above the piston head O
forces the plunger N, die frame M, and dies downwardly, compacting into form
and partially compressing the clay within the molds and against the lower dies
held against movement. During this movement, the air which was below the
piston head O escapes through the open three-way valve g¹ into the exhaust
pipe el. This movement above described of the upper plunger is so calculated that
the clay in the mold will be pressed to within half an inch of its final com-
pressed form, and during this operation the levers and are at rest by
reason of the form of the grooves and in the operating cam wheels m, m'.
The three-way valves g. 93 being next opened, air is permitted to exhaust from
below the upper piston H and from above the lower piston H¹; these valves 9', 9°
then close, and the valves 7 and 92 are opened and the stems 6 and 6' are forced
into the hydraulic cylinders E, E', and the pressure then exerted hydraulically
upon the plungers N and N¹ causes both of them to move toward each at the same
time to still further compress the bricks in the molds and to within a small limit
of the necessary final compression. The stem 6 and plunger N now remain at
rest, and with them necessarily the upper die frame and dies, and the valve 9³ is
again opened, which exhausts the air below piston head H¹ and permits said piston
and the lower plunger N' with lower die frame and dies to drop down to their
normal resting point, and this movement permits the air which has been compressed
within the body of the bricks to escape from the bricks and molds, and immediately
thereafter the valve q' is again opened and compressed air being admitted below
the piston head H', it with its stem is lifted and hydraulic pressure exerted
against the end of lower plunger N', which with the lower die frame and dies is
forced up to make the last pressure upon and complete the bricks.
When the bricks have thus been finally compressed, the valve q' is opened to
exhaust the air from above the piston head H, and the valve being opened to
permit the compressed air to enter under said piston head, and the valves 9 and g¹,

page_text: being opened to let compressed air under the piston (), and to permit the exhaust
of the supply previously used above it, and the valves 92 and 9' being opened,
compressed air is admitted under the piston head O' and exhausted from above
the same, so that the plungers N and N' are lifted to their extreme upward limit,
the former to resume its normal position and the latter to lift the molded bricks up
on a level with the receiving table, onto which they are forced by the filling box as
it again travels over the molds to fill the same, valve g' having previously opened
to exhaust the air from below the piston head O¹ to permit the lower plunger and
its connections to fall to the point of rest.
By reference to the cylinder F on the head plate C it will be seen that the space
below the horizontal partition G serves as a receptacle for the water or other fluid
contained in the upper hydraulic cylinder E, when said water is expelled by the
upward movement of the upper plunger N.
I do not wish to be confined to the exact details of construction as shown, for
they may be varied in very many particulars without departing from the spirit of
my invention, and particularly is this so in the construction, number, and arrange-
ment of valves for controlling the inlet and exhaust of air, the gist of my invention
in this particular resting in the idea of so arranging and timing the several parts
that the direct action of compressed air is employed for the long and quick move-
ments of the plungers and the partial compression and removal of the bricks,
while the short and more powerful movements of the plungers is accomplished with
the same initial power exerted through the interposition of hydraulic pistons; and
it will be noted in this connection that I avoid the use of all such devices as
hydraulic pumps and so forth.
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 1
claim is :-
1. The within described method of operating the pressing plungers of a brick
machine, which consists in employing an initial pressure of compressed air or
steam for impelling the respective plungers through the longer travel, said steam
or air acting direct upon said plunger, then employing a secondary more intense
pressure hydraulically, actuated by compressed air or steam, substantially as
described.
2. The method of producing an alternate advancing and receding movement of
the plunger of a brick machine, which consists, first, in employing an initial
pressure of compressed air or steam for causing the first advancing movement,
Becond, relieving said pressure and causing a reverse movement actuated by steam
or compressed air, and, third, renewing the advance movement by hydraulic power
actuated by compressed air or steam, substantially as described.
3. The method of producing an alternate advancing and receding motion of the
opposing plungers, which consists, first, in advancing one of said plungers through
the longer throw by compressed air acting directly against the piston of the
plunger, then, second, advancing the same plunger with greater pressure
hydraulically, said hydraulic pressure acting against said plunger direct through
the medium initially of compressed air, then, third, advancing the other opposing
plunger through the shorter throw with the greater hydraulic power actuating
against the piston, and by means of an initial power consisting of compressed air,
and finally advancing said plunger through the longer throw by means of com-
pressed air only acting directly against said plunger, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
4. In a machine for molding and compressing brick, the combination with a mold
adapted to receive dies from opposite directions, a series of dies, each series
suitably connected with a plunger passing through a piston head operated by com-
pressed air or equivalent power, and extending into an hydraulic cylinder, a piston
arranged above the upper plunger, and with a stem extending into the water
cylinder, a piston below the lower plunger and with a stem extending into the

page_text: lower water cylinder, a main compressed air supply pipe, a main exhaust pipe, and
suitable means for supplying and exhausting the compressed air to cause the several
parts to act in the order and manner hereinbefore set forth.
5. In a machine for molding and compressing brick, the combination with the
mold supporting frame and mold, of the lower die located and supported within the
mold, of an upper die and plunger, substantially as described, the piston cylinder D,
hydraulic cylinder E, piston cylinder F, piston H-b, and means substantially as
described for successively operating the pistons O and H, as and for the purposes
set forth.
6. In combination with the mold and supporting frame, and an upper plunger
and dies, the lower plunger N₁ provided with dies, the air cylinder B', piston
head O¹, water cylinder E', cylinder extension F', piston H-6 and means sub-
stantially as described for successively operating the plunger N', as and for the
purposes set forth.
7. In combination with the mold frame, A, mold B, upper and lower plungers N
and N', with dies attached and provided with piston heads 0, 0, the water
cylinders E, E', cylindrical extensions F, F¹, hydraulic pistons H-6 and H¹¹,
head plate C, base plate C₁, all secured in relation by the bolts or columns L,
I claim the supply pipe e, exhaust pipe el, intermediate supply and exhaust pipes
leading to the cylinders F, F', D, D', three-way supply and exhaust valves 9, 9,
9, 9', 9,999, operating levers r, r¹, h, h¹, h², h³, 3, 3, and rotating cam wheels t, t',
m, m², m³, m³, and 3, 3, secured to rotary shafts, and means for operating said
shafts, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
8. In combination with the molds B and table R, the filling box P, piston Q,
cylinder Q', supply and exhaust pipes e, e', and mechanism intermediate between
the supply and exhaust pipes and the cylinder Q', whereby the piston Q is
reciprocated, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 20th day of June 1893.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.