1126

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

December 8, 1916.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

15094 (1915). Attachment for Miners' Electric Safety
Lamps for Detecting Firedamp and other Combustible Gases.
T. J. Thomas, 3, Upton-street, Mount Pleasant, Perth,
Rhondda, Glamorganshire.—Relates to an improved attach-
ment, for miners’ electric safety lamps, of the type in which
the presence of firedamp is indicated by the fluctuation in the
intensity of the light of an electric lamp, by the variation in
the resistance of a heated catalytic body, such asi platinum
wire, in series with the lamp. According to the invention,
use is made of a catalytically heated body, the resistance of
which is so proportioned with respect to the lamp that when
•the resistance of said body is increased under the influence
of the firedamp, the said body is fused and the lamp extin-
guished.

16891 (1915). Improved Method of and Apparatus for
Manufacturing Coal Gas. A. E. White, 88-90, Chancery-
lane, London, W.C. (Communication from Riter-Conley
Manufacturing Company, Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)
—Relates to a method and apparatus for the manufacture of
coal gas of the kind in which the gas is cooled before it
enters the take-off or hydraulic main. Fig. 1 is a front eleva-
tion ; fig. 2 a view and top plan; fig. 3 an end view; and
fig. 4 a cross section of one of the cooling chambers. The
gas generated in the retorts 3 of the bench 2 passes into
istand pipes 4, which discharge into chambers 8, the bottoms



9 of which are inclined to form troughs 10, with the stand
pipes 4 projecting through and above the inclined bottom to
exclude the liquid accumulation in the trough. The gas
passes out of chambers 8 through valved outlets 21 to take-off
main 5 connected by pipe 6 to the twin exhausters 7 for
delivering the gas to other portions of the apparatus in the
usual manner. The gas passes into the chambers 8 at high
temperature, approximating 1,000 degs. Fahr., and is there
cooled by liquid from the spray devices 12, located out of
vertical alignment with the standpipes, so as to avoid liquid
from the spray passing into the stand pipes. The water
passes from trough 10 through pipe 13, to a suitable tar
separator 14, from which the tar discharges through pipe 15,
and the liquid through pipe 16 to the cooler 17, the liquid
being forced from the latter by the pump 18 into manifold
19, through the pipes 20, to the spray devices 12. It will be
apparent that this constitutes a closed circulating system,
which is preferably employed, as thereby much ammonia is
saved as compared with a fresh water circulation, for the
reason that after the cooling medium has become saturated,
no additional ammonia is extracted from the gaseous fluid
being treated. In operation, the gases in the stand pipes
being maintained at a uniform temperature of approximately
1,000 degs. Fahr., the lighter hydrocarbons are fixed into a
permanent gaseous state, thereby materially enriching the
ultimately cleansed gas, retaining in the latter valuable pro-
ducts which in prior methods have been dissociated from the
main body of gas, and virtually lost. The immediate cool-
ing of the stand pipe output, which prevents accumulation
of solids in the take-off main and apparatus beyond, is accom-
plished by the liquid sprays which the gaseous fluid
encounters immediately upon emerging from the stand pipes,
the operation being preferably such that its temperature is
reduced to between 110 and 125 degs. Fahr. This tempera-
ture reduction results in precipitating the major portion of the
tar, and also nearly all of the naphthalene, the latter com-
bining with the tar and the condensates, and the cooling
liquid draining into trough 10, and discharging to separator
14 through outlet 13. (Thirteen claims.)

17588 (1915). Improvements in Visual Signalling
Apparatus for Use in Collieries. A. Gillespie, of 4, Path-
foot, Kilwinning, Ayrshire; and H. Gillespie, junr., of
Annick Lodge, Irvine, Ayrshire.—Relates to a visual signal-



LOWER-t!’ ^

href

& lower;;

ll&MEtii

IjA RAISE UP

ling apparatus for use in collieries. Fig. 1 is a front eleva-
tion of the signalling apparatus; and fig. 2 a similar view
with the screen removed. The apparatus comprises a reci-
procatory slide 1 presenting a series of spaced numerical
signal indications. In front of the slide is a screen 2 pro-
vided with an aperture 3 permitting one indication to be
viewed at a time. The mechanism for controlling the slide 1
includes the signal wire 4 and a lever tracking a ratch, the
teeth of which correspond to the indications on the slide; the
lever being fulcrumed with sufficient play to permit it .to be
moved sideways into engagement with the selected notch of

the ratch, in which it is held manually. The ratch is studded
with characters visible to the bottomer, and representing
the characters on the slide. When it is desired to indicate
that men are about to enter the cage, it is requisite only
for the bottomer to move the lever until a pointer or the
lever itself registers with the numeral 3 on the ratch, the
slide 1 being thus caused to occupy a position such that the
numeral 3 is visible through the aperture 3. To provide for
an audible accompaniment to the visual signal, the slide is
fitted with pawls 7 corresponding to the numerical or other
indications, and co-operating with the bell hammer 8. (One
claim.)

17918 (1915). Improvements in Visual Signalling Indi-
cators for Collieries and the like Works. J. W. Jobling, of
Clifton-cottage, Burnley, Lancashire. — Relates to visual
signalling indicators as used in collieries and the like works
for giving signals to the man in charge of the winding
engine. Fig. 1 is a front, and fig. 2 a reair view of the
mechanism of the apparatus removed from its containing
casing. The casing is provided at the front with a dial,
marked with the various orders or signals, raise, lower, etc.,
which are to be given by the apparatus. Within the casing
is a supporting frame c, on which the mechanism is arranged
and carried. In a boss d about the centre of the frame c is
mounted a horizontal shaft e. The front end of the shaft e
carries an indicating pointer /, and on the rear end of the
shaft is fixed a ratchet wheel g corded to a spiral spring h,
and with which a pawl ;, pivoted on the rear face of the
frame c, co-acts as hereinafter explained. The pawl j is
weighted so that it tends to engage the ratchet wheel g, but
it is normally held out of engagement therewith. On the
rear face of the frame c a cataract or dash pot k is also
mounted. The outer end of the piston rod m of the cataract
or dash pot k is provided with a weight n for causing the
descent of the piston when the latter is raised. The piston
of the cataract or dash pot is raised by means of a pivoted
lever o, one arm o1 of which engages below the weight n.
The weight n carries a depending arm p, which, when it is
in its lower or normal position, engages the tail of the pawl j,
and holds the latter out of engagement with the ratchet
wheel g. To the arm o1 of the lever o, which engages below
the veight n, is pivoted the upper end of a rod g, which is
raised by and falls with the lever arm, the lower end of the
rod operating in a guide r. On the rod q is pivoted a finger s,
which, when the rod is raised, engages a tooth of the ratchet
wheel g, and rotates the latter to an extent equal to one
tooth. On the return or descent of the rod, the finger s
rides over the teeth of the wheel g. At the front of the
frame c a registering pointer t, of lesser length than the indi-
cating pointer f, is freely mounted on the boss d. The regis-
tering pointer t is provided on its leading edge with a pro-
jection tz, with which the forward edge of the indicating

Fig. 1.	Fig. 2.

pointer engages when the latter is operated, and so carries
with it the registering pointer. The boss of the pointer t is
provided with dogs, which take into recesses in a sleeve w,
also freely mounted on the boss d. The sleeve w is corded
to a spiral spring x, and has formed integral with it a ratchet
wheel y, with which co-acts a pivoted pawl 0, the pawl nor-
mally engaging the wheel. At the front of the frame c is
also provided a plate 2, connected through a slot 3 in the
frame c to the weight n on the piston rod m of the cataract or
dash pot, so that it is raised and descends therewith. On
the plate 2 a finger 4 is pivoted. When the plate 2 ascends,
the finger 4 engages the tail of the pawl z, and disengages
same from the ratchet wheel y, thus releasing same, before
the finger 8 engages a tooth of and actuates the ratchet
wheel g. (Four claims.)

101815. Improvements in or Relating to Means and
Apparatus for the Manufacture or Production of Gas. C. B.
Tully, of 39, Victoria-street, Westminster.—Relates to plant
wherein coal gaia and water gas are manufactured separately
by constructionally independent means. Three water gas
generators are each adapted to supply gas through a separate
valve to a pipe for conduction to the foul main of a bench of
retorts for coal gas manufacture, the water gas entering the
said main at either end, but in each case prior to passage
through the purifying section of the plant. The generators
are provided with main air inlets and supplementary air
inlets. A blower is connected to the piping supplying the
main and supplementary air inlets, and is driven by a steam
engine, the exhaust pipe of which supplies steam to the
generator inlet. The gas outlet valve of each generator is
connected to a lever that serves to actuate a corresponding air
valve and the steam valve, springs being interposed to
absorb shock and secure proper closure of the various valves.
The levers are pivoted and provided with a roller adapted to
engage cams mounted upon a shaft driven through double
reduction worm and worm gearing from the engine shaft.
(Five claims.)

101858. Improvements in Signalling Apparatus for Mines
and the like. W. Holmes, E. T. D. Holmes, and H. S.
Holmes, all of Ivy Glen, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, Mon-
mouth.—Relates to signalling apparatus consisting of a
single stroke bell and step-by-step indicator mechanism
operated pneumatically. Fig. 1 is a front elevation, and
fig. 2 a transverse section of the receiving apparatus; fig. 3
is a sectional elevation of the signal-sending plunger; fig. 4
is a front elevation of the receiving apparatus with cover
plate removed; fig. 5 is a sectional front elevation of the
receiving mechanism ; fig. 6 a transverse section of a part
thereof; and figs. 7, 8, and 9 front elevations of details, all
on a larger scale, a is a cylinder mounted in a frame and
containing a plunger b, which can be manually displaced
against the influence of a spring c. This cylinder a is, in
a mine, situated below ground, and is connected with the

receiving apparatus at the surface by means of a pipe d. At
the receiving station the pipe d is connected to the upper end
of a vertical cylinder e, containing a piston f. This piston f
is connected by its rod g to a piston h in a cylinder i, axially
below the cylinder e. At its lower end the cylinder i com-
municates with an upwardly inclined pipe j, in the open end
of which is a plunger pellet k. The open end of the pipe j
is situated adjacent to a gong Z, so that when partially ejected
from the pipe j the pellet k strikes the gong I. A sleeve d1 is
mounted on the tubular connection between the pipe d and





R^Z.

MEN,





the cylinder e, and a similar sleeve j1 is mounted on the
pipe j. These sleeves cover apertures in the respective
tubular connection and pipe, and have apertures to register
therewith when appropriately angularly situated, for the pur-
pose of permitting a regulated escape of air from the pipes
d and j, so regulating the intensity of the pneumatic action.
A lever m is connected to the piston rod g by one end, and
at the other end has a pawl n. On the lever m being dis-
placed so that the pawl n is raised, the latter strikes against
one of the pins o of a lantern wheel p, and angularly dis-
places such wheel by the amount of the pitch of its pins 0.
This lantern wheel p is fast on a sleeve q, journalled on a
stud r. The sleeve q has also fast thereon an indicator disc «
in front of the lantern wheel p, and behind the latter, a
ratchet wheel t, having a peripheral lug t1 (fig. 8). A cover
plate u is secured on the front end of the stud, and has a
pair of apertures to show the inscriptions on the indicator
disc. A detent v is situated to engage with the teeth of the
ratchet wheel t. A lever w, on being displaced manually
through a wire or the like x, displaces the detent v out of
engagement with the ratchet wheel t, thereby permitting the
sleeve q and the wheels and disc thereon to be automatically
rotated backwards, by a cord y, wound thereon and con-
nected to a weighted lever y\ Another lever z is provided,
one end of which lodges beneath the lever w, and holds
same in the position to hold the detent v out of engagement
with the ratchet wheel t, until the lug t1 on the latter strikes
the lower end of the lever z, and dislodges its upper end
from beneath the lever w. The lug t1 also limits the total
angular displacement of the sleeve, and the wheels and disc
thereon, by encountering suitably situated stops. (Four
claims. 1

101920. Improvements in Jigging Conveyors. W. A.
Machin, Bryn Eira, 8, Albert-road, Gravelly-hill, Birming-
ham; E. Mills, 9, Harper-street, The Manor; Willenhall;
and A. Downes, 14, Albion-road, Willenhall, Staffordshire.
—Comprises certain improvements in jigging conveyors, and
relates to the mode of and means for stopping the move-
ment of the conveyor, whereby the contents thereof are
advanced. Fig. 1 is a part elevation of a conveyor; fig. 2 is
a section of one pair of rolling members; fig. 3 is an inside
elevation of one of the rolling members; and fig. 4 is an
inside elevation of a modified rolling member. Each rolling
member has two bearing surfaces a, b, which may be circular
throughout a substantial part of the circumference, and the
circular parts may be disposed eccentrically (figs. 1, 2, and
3), or concentrically (fig. 4), one bearing surface being
adapted to work upon or in relation to a part c mounted in
any suitable manner upon the trough, and the other bearing
surface being adapted to work upon or in relation to a suit-
able base or runner d. When the bearing surfaces are
arranged eccentrically, the base or runner and bearing part
of the trough may be horizontal or inclined. When both or
either of the bearing surfaces are inclined, the bearing sur-
faces of the rolling member may be concentric. When the
bearing surfaces pertaining to the trough and base member
are inclined, they are straight throughout their inclined por-
tions. Straight continuations e, f are provided at the top of the
trough bearing surface c and at the bottom of the stationary

bearing surface d. With these straight parts e, /, tangential
portions g, h of the bearing surfaces of the rolling member
are adapted to simultaneously come into contact to thereby
check the movement of the trough i. An upstanding stop ;
may be provided at the end of the stationary bearing member
and/or at the end of the bearing member provided upon the
trough, this stop or stops being adapted at the end of the
stroke to come into contact with the respective bearing sur-
face of the rolling member at a point substantially level
with the axis of the part of the rolling member running on
the bearing surface to which the stop pertains. The tangen-
tial portion h adapted to stop the movement of the rolling
member may be continued for a suitable distance, then curve