100

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

July 10, 1914.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

228 (1914). Process and Apparatus for Agglomerating
Coal. H. Steven, of Gilly, formerly of Montigny sur
Sambre, Belgium.—Has for its object to obtain in the closed
moulds more homogeneous and,.more compact agglomerated
bodies and relates to an improved ^process and means for
agglomerating coal or like of the kind in which the material
is subjected to a number of successive pressures upon the
material while it is contained within the same mould, and
in which a rotary mould table is employed to carry the
moulds successively adjacent to several pressing devices.
According to the invention the material is compressed a first
time very slightly so as to expel the air; a second time in
the same mould with a stronger pressure so as to produce a
commencement of agglomeration and to expel the fluids or
liquids which might be deleterious to the agglomeration ; a
third time always in the same mould, with a very great
pressure so as to render the agglomerated body homogeneous
and, finally always in the same mould, a fourth time with a
very slight compression so as to tighten again the cracks
which might occur as a consequence of the preceding com-
pression with a high pressure, after which the briquette is
taken out of the mould by well known or new means. As an
instance of its practical embodiment the accompanying draw-

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ing shows the diagram of a machine suitable for this purpose,
in which hydraulic pressure is employed, though the requisite
pressure might be produced by solely mechanical or other
means. When the mould B1, with its piston C1, comes oppo-
site the hydraulic piston I, the material is slightly com-
pressed. A shifting of the table A, which corresponds to one
division ( ’a), brings the mould B1, with its piston C1, over
the hydraulic piston II (the mould B2 over the piston I) and
the hydraulic piston II thus gives a second compression into
B1 through the medium of the piston C1. Another shifting of
the table A brings the mould B1 with its piston C1 over the
hydraulic piston III (B2 over II and B3 over I), and then the
briquette compressed previously by II, and being in the
mould B1, is compressed a third time by the said hydraulic
piston III. Another motion brings the mould B1 with its
piston C1 over the hydraulic piston IIII (B2 over III, B3
over II, and B4 over I), and thus the briquette contained in
the mould B1 is compressed a fourth time, whereupon it is
taken out of the mould by well known means. The same
explanation applies to all the moulds from B1 till B12, and
the working is continuous. As seen from the diagram, four
mould pistons are always simultaneously exposed to the
simultaneous action of the hydraulic compression, and receive
pressure as shown by fig. 3, which, figure shows in a
developed condition the position assumed by the pistons
under the action of the hydraulic energy. (Two claims.)

4281 (1914). Improvements in Haulage Clips. F. Lane,
Bellmont, Bell-street, Brierley Hill, Staffordshire, and S. E.
Williams, Althaea, Brettell-lane, Stourbridge, Worcester-
shire, engineers.—Relates to gripping devices for the convey-
ance of objects in cable haulage, and comprises an improved
means which will effectually clip the rope, and is simply con-
nected and released. The invention consists, in conjunction
with a main plate having a fixed shoe and a recess in the

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said shoe opposite, a movable gripping member of a projec-
tion or projections on the plate and above the shoe to aug-
ment the gripping effect by preventing the rope or cable
canting from the shoe after leaving the recess. Fig. 1 is a
side elevation of a gripping device constructed according to
the invention, as applied with one form of slidable member;
fig 2 is an end elevation. For overhead haulage, the device
would be reversed to that illustrated. (Two claims.)

5190 (1914). Improvements in Air Compressors. P.
Rayner, of 19, Falmouth-road, and G-. H. Turton Rayner, of
Grange Farm House, Carter Knowle-road, Abbeydale, both
of Sheffield, Yorkshire.—The object is to provide an improved
construction of inlet and outlet valves for vertical air com-
pressors whereby the friction in the valves is reduced and
their efficiency for admission and exhaustion increased,
whilst at the same time the manufacture of such machines
may be simplified and rendered more economical than is the
case in such machines as ordinarily designed. In the design
to which the invention is applicable, the admission valve is
situated in the top of the compression piston, and opens to
admit air on the downward stroke as soon as a very slight
reduction of pressure occurs below that of the atmosphere.
It closes by gravity when the piston finishes the down stroke.
'The discharge of the compressed air takes place as the
piston nears the top of the cylinder, as soon as the pressure
slightly exceeds that in the receiver or pressure main, and
the discharge valve is closed by springs when the discharg-
ing stroke of the piston is completed. Fig. 1 is a vertical

section of the compressor cylinder; fig. 2 is a plan of the dis-
charge valve plate; figs. 3 and 4 are the discharge valve
springs; fig. 5 is a plan of the inlet valve guard; fig. 6 is a
side elevation partly in section of the same; fig. 7 is a
plan of the inlet valve plates; fig. 8 is a vertical section of

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the upper part of the compressor cylinder showing a modified
form of discharge valve; fig. 9 is a side view in section of a
modified form of inlet valve; fig. 10 is a plan of the same.
(Seven claims.)

12032 (1914). Improvements relating to the Testing of
Insulation. Evershed and Vignoles Limited, and S. Evershed,
all of Acton-lane Works, Chiswick, London, W.—Relates
to the testing of the insulation of electric systems and
appliances, and its object is to provide an improved method
of ascertaining the condition of the insulation. In carrying
out the invention the testing apparatus is arranged and
adapted to facilitate such comparisons—see co-pending appli-
cation, No. 12723, of 1913—by reducing the resistance ordi-
nates of all characteristic curves to numerical scales which
are convenient for comparison, preferably so that all curves
shall have one co-ordinate point in common, which is pre-
ferably the initial point of the curve corresponding with the
minimum testing pressure. By this procedure all other
points on the curves are expressed by their ratios or percen-
tages with regard to the common point. To carry out this
part of the invention the resistance measuring instrument
or appliance is modified by the addition of a device adapted
to vary the sensibility of the instrument continuously or
substantially so, over a considerable range, so that upon
making the first test to determine the initial or common
point, the indication of the instrument may be adjusted
until it registers 100, or 1,000, or 10, or unity or some other
decimal multiple or sub-multiple of a hundred. When this
adjustment has been made the resistance ordinates of the
other test points on the curve will evidently be indicated ag
percentages of the initial resistance ordinates, and the law
of one curve may be readily compared with that of any
other curve without the necessity for any calculations, and
in many cases without even going to the trouble of plotting
the characteristic curves. Again, when the object of the
tests is to investigate some particular portion of a char-
acteristic curve by the comparison of differences, as for
example, when it is intended to ascertain the position of the
point or region of inflexion, then in carrying out the inven-
tion the testing apparatus is arranged and adapted to facili-
tate the comparison of one difference with another, prefer-
ably by means of adjustable rheostats, adapted to give
direct indications of the differences in the resistance (or
conductance) of the insulation, corresponding to successive
increments of testing pressure. (One claim.)

12723 (1913). Improvements relating to the Testing of
Insulation. Evershed and Vignoles Limited, and S. Evershed,
Acton-lane Works, Chiswick. London, W.—Relates to the
testing of the insulation of electric systems and appliances,
and its objects is to provide improved means for ascertaining
the condition of the insulation. The inventors have dis-
covered by experimental research that one of the causes of
the lower resistance at higher voltage is the presence of
moisture in absorbent insulating materials in the form of
drops and thin films, which form leakage paths for electric
current. When an insulator in that condition is subjected
to electric pressure the propelling force, known as electric
endosmose, drives water out of the drops into the films,
thereby increasing their thickness, and therefore decreasing
the resistance of the leakage paths. The invention consists



in apparatus for insulation diagnosis, comprising in combi-
nation means for applying to the insulation a plurality of
voltages in ascending order, means for indicating the resist-
ance or conductance of the insulation, and means for adjust-
ing the, sensibility of the apparatus to any value over a
suitable range. Much of the utility of the method of
diagnosis consists in comparing the law of shape of different
characteristic curves obtained either from the insulation of
an electric system or appliance at different times under
varying natural conditions, or from different electric systems
or appliances or circuits. In carrying out the invention the
testing apparatus is arranged and adapted to facilitate such
comparisons by reducing the resistance ordinates of all
characteristic curves to numerical scales which are con-
venient for comparison preferably so that all curves shall
have one co-ordinate point in common, which is preferably
the initial point of the curve corresponding with the minimum

testing pressure. By this procedure all other points on the
curves are expressed by their ratios or percentages with
regard to the common point. To carry out this part of the
invention the resistance measuring instrument or appliance
is modified by the addition of a device adapted to vary the
sensibility of the instrument continuously or substantially
so, over a considerable range, so that upon making the first
test to determine the initial or commqn point, the indication
of the instrument may be adjusted until it registers 100,
or 1,000, or 10, or unity or some other decimal multiple or
sub-multiple, of a hundred. When this adjustment has
been made the resistance ordinates of the other test points
on the curve will evidently be indicated as percentages of
the initial resistance ordinate, and the law of one curve may
be readily compared with that of any other curve without
the necessity for any calculations, and in many cases without
even going to the trouble of plotting the characteristic
curves. Again, when the object of the tests is to investigate
some particular portion of a characteristic curve by the
comparison of differences, the testing apparatus is arranged
and adapted to facilitate the comparison of one difference
with another, preferably by means of adjustable rheostats
adapted to give direct indications of the differences in the
resistance or conductance of the insulation, corresponding
to successive increments of testing pressure. . Fig. 1 is a
diagram of a complete apparatus for investigating the whole
or any part of the voltage-resistance curve of insulation;
fig. 2 illustrates apparatus for carrying out the method
arranged in a box for portability. (Twelve claims.)

12976 (1913). Improvements in and relating to Apparatus
for Drawing and Charging Gas Retorts. H. Bird and G.
Hay ter, both of “ Monreith,” 12, Keith-road, Hayes,
Middlesex.—Relates to apparatus for charging gas retorts
of the type in which the coal is placed in a scoop which is
inserted in the retort by means of a chain in which the
links are in compression, the coal being held in position
while the shell of the scoop is withdrawn by the chain.
Apparatus made in accordance with this invention is
characterised in that the coal is held in the retort while the



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scoop is being withdrawn by a frame and plates operated by
a chain rod independently of the scoop. The scoop is
adapted to be travelled longitudinally and transversely of
the retort house, and to be raised and lowered and swing
horizontally on a pivot, so as to be readily placed in position
for being filled with coal and for charging retort. Fig. 1 is
an elevation showing one form of apparatus made in
accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a side view. (Four
claims.)

18637 (1913). Improvements in Chain Grate Furnaces.
E. Bennis, of Beech Hill, Astley Bridge, Bolton, Lanca-
shire.—Relates to the construction and use of driving and
driven drums, which actuate and carry the chain grates of
furnaces of the larger size, for which a demand is arising.
A driving drum is cast of a suitable diameter and strength,
to take a span of from 10 ft. to 20 ft., provided with bearings
at both ends, with a groove or slot running longitudinally from
end to end, and sprockets with lugs fitting into the groove,
that can be clamped in position to engage the chain and
drive it forward, causing same to revolve, the drum being in
once piece, or built up of two or more parts mounted on a
number of rods or bars, or upon a shaft increasing in dia-
meter towards the centre. A similar drum would be cast,
but preferably hexagonal for the back of the chain grate, over
which the chain would pass in its return to the drum. Fig.
1 is an elevation of one form of the driving drum A; fig. 2,

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a transverse section of same; fig. 3, a sectional plan of
adjustable sprocket wheel'B; fig. 4, 5, and 6, transverse sec-
tion of other forms of the driving drum; fig. 7, a sectional
elevation of another form of the driving drum; fig. 8, trans-
verse section of same; and fig. 9, sectional elevation of
another form of the driving drum. (Four claims.)

19731 (1913). Improved Limber Pin for Mine Skips and
like Vehicles. C. H. Sawyer, of Berner-street, Mere-
wether, Newcastle, and J. Bowditch, of Maitland-road,
Islington, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.—
Relates to devices for coupling a mine skip or the like
vehicle to animal draft gear of the type wherein a pin
member passes through the eye of the vehicle drawbar or
its equivalent, and is retained by a gravity or spring-held
locking member or members. The object is to provide an
improved limber pin of simple and strong construction,